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THE 



PRIVATE CORRESPONDENCE 



JANE LADY CORNWALLIS; 



1613—1644. 



THE 



PRIVATE CORRESPONDENCE 



JANE LADY COENWALLIS; 

1613—1644. 



FROM THE ORIGINALS 



IN THE POSSESSION OF THE FAMILY. 




CULFORD HALL, 1612. 

LONDON: 

PRINTED AND SOLD BY 
S. & J. BENTLEY, WILSON, & FLEY, 

BANGOR HOUSE, SHOE LANE. 

1842. 









THE LIBRARY 
OV CONGRESS 

IWAtUVGTON 








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PAGE 


Preface 


iii. — vii. 


Biographical Notices 


ix. — xxxi. 


Pedigree of Corn>jfallis .... 


xxxii. — xlvii. 


Pedigree of Meautys .... 


xlviii. — li. 


Correspondence 


1—305 


Index ........ 


306 — 314 


View of Culford Hall .... 


Title 


Meautys Arms 


viii. 


View of Brome Hall 


305 


Cornwallis Crest 


. 


xxxi. 



PREFACE. 



The Correspondence contained in the follow- 
ing pages formed a portion of a large mass of 
MS. papers found amongst the family archives 
at Brome and Culford, after the lamented death 
of Charles, second and last Marquis Cornwallis, 
in 1823, and which were placed, by his daugh- 
ters and coheirs, at the disposal of the Editor. 
The letters, all belonging to the seventeenth 
century, were principally addressed to the 
widow of Sir William Cornwallis, who, re- 
marrying Sir Nathaniel Bacon, subsequently 
assumed the name of her second husband, and 
many of them emanated from the pens of her 
female friends and relatives. 

It is obvious that in such a collection, treat- 
ing almost entirely of private and domestic 
concerns, matters of general historical in- 
terest rarely occur; still, as Lady Cornwallis 
encouraged her correspondents, some of whom 



IV PREFACE. 

were residing about the Court, to supply her 
with news, much of the gossip of the day is 
introduced, together with occasional anecdotes, 
not, as it is presumed, recorded elsewhere. 

Amongst the different writers, there were 
many who enjoyed some reputation in their 
day ; but Lucy, Countess of Bedford, who lived 
in terms of strict intimacy with Lady Corn- 
wallis, is deserving of especial notice; and 
her numerous letters, replete with spirit and 
vivacity, and at the same time evincing so 
much amiability and good feeling, cannot fail 
to be read with interest, while they afford the 
best refutation to those calumnies with which 
her fair fame was so unjustly assailed by Pen- 
nant, and Granger, and other biographers who 
followed in their train, without investigating 
the authenticity of the statements which they 
rashly adopted. Many allusions to families 
resident in the eastern counties, and espe- 
cially Norfolk and Suffolk, will also be found 
in the letters, and may prove useful in ena- 



PREFACE. V 

bling the Genealogist to correct those errors 
which, in spite of every precaution, find their 
way into our pedigrees. 

At all events we may assume, that the facts 
related in- a private correspondence are en- 
titled to more confidence than the traditions 
and printed authorities upon which historians 
so implicitly rely. How often, indeed, in con- 
templating the portrait of some person of 
celebrity, long since consigned to the silent 
tomb, we endeavour to trace in the features 
the characteristics of former greatness, with- 
out the means of satisfying ourselves whether 
the likeness has been faithfully preserved; 
whereas, the perusal of original letters from 
the same individual would at once give us an 
insight into his character, render us conversant 
with his secret thoughts, and afford the best 
representation of the powers of his mind, and 
the workings of his imagination. After all, 
there is an indescribable charm in speculating 
how our forefathers employed their time, and 



VI PREFACE. 

thus, as it were, identifying ourselves with 
their every-day proceedings, and prying into 
the little corners of their lives. And to this 
disposition may be ascribed the popularity of 
the numerous Correspondences and Autobio- 
graphies which have of late been brought to 
light. Upon similar grounds, it is hoped, 
that this unpretending volume may not be ill 
received by such readers as take delight in 
the records of bygone days; and if it should 
form one new link in the chain- of information, 
already so nearly perfected, and throw the 
least additional light on the reigns of the 
Stuarts, the Editor will have reason to rejoice 
that his attention was drawn to the manu- 
scripts before their destruction had been con- 
summated by the hand of time. 

It remains only to add, that, to avoid volu- 
minous notes, some particulars respecting Lady 
Cornwallis and her correspondents have been 
prefixed to the Letters, so that the reader 
may easily make himself acquainted with the 



PREFACE. Vll 

actores fabuljE before they are brought upon 
the stage. Brief notices of most of the per- 
sons mentioned, are likewise placed at the 
bottoms of the pages in which their names 
occur. 

The Editor is extremely indebted to the 
kindness of his friends J. Gage Rokewode, 
Esq. and C. G. Young, Esq. York Herald, for 
the pedigrees of the Cornwallis and Meautys 
families, inserted at the end of the Memoirs, 
which, by their diligence and research, have 
been rendered much more complete and cor- 
rect than any before existing in a manuscript 
or printed form ; and he is anxious gratefully 
to acknowledge their valuable assistance, dur- 
ing the progress of the work, in revising the 
sheets, suggesting explanatory notes, and ar- 
ranging the order of the letters, most of which 
were without dates. 

The Editor further feels bound to offer his 
best thanks to the different Clergymen to 
whom he has had occasion to refer for ex- 



Vlll PREFACE. 

tracts from their parochial Kegisters; and it 
is gratifying to him to be enabled to add, that 
in every instance he received the most oblig- 
ing answers, and in some cases much useful 
information. 

Audley End, June 30, 1842. 




IX 



JANE LADY CORNWALLIS, whose name 
occurs so continually in the following pages, is 
entitled to the first place in these brief notices, 
though it will be difficult to treat of any of her 
Correspondents without frequent allusions to her 
history. 

She was descended from an ancient and respect- 
able family, the founder of which, John Meautys, 
described as "of Greenegate by Leadenhall," 
came from Normandy with Henry VII. as his 
Secretary of the French tongue, and whose grand- 
son Sir^Petei^Meautys, some time our ambassador 
to France, obtained a grant of the manor of West 
Ham, in Essex. From him it devolved upon his 
son Hercules Meautys, the husband of Philippe, 
daughter of Richard Cooke, of Gidea Hall,--the 
parents of Lady Cornwallis. She must have 
been born about 1581, but no record of her birth 
is preserved; and in 1608 she became the second 
wife of Sir W illiam C ornwallis, of Brome, who 
survived only IT short timeTanoTwas buried at 
Oakley in November 1611, leaving issue by his 
second lady an only son, Frederick, created 
Lord Cornwallis. She seems to have acquired a 
large fortune under the will of Sir William, be- 



coming entitled to the profits of the manors of 
Brome, Oakley, Stuston, Thrandeston, and Pal- 
grave, and to be guardian to her son; besides 
which, the manor of Wilton, in Yorkshire, with 
lands in several adjoining parishes, had been pre- 
viously settled upon her. No wonder that, being 
young and richly endowed, the lady did not long 
, remain a widow. Accordingly, in 1613, we find 
ill U X W4- Nathaniel Bacon paying his addresses to her ; and 
they were married at~Brome, May 1 st, in the fol- 
lowing year. The correspondence, indeed, com- 
mences with the negotiations respecting this al- 
liance; and the conditions insisted upon by the 
widow show that she was quite competent to 
manage her own affairs, and confirm the family 
tradition, that she possessed a strong masculine 
understanding and was an excellent woman of 
business. It is matter of regret that very few 
of her letters and papers have descended to us, 
with the exception of some meditations and ex- 
tracts from sermons, apparently written when she 
was very old. Nor is there much known of her 
subsequently to the death of her second husband 
in 1627. Lady Bacon is supposed to have passed 
the evening of her life at Culford, occupying 
herself with the care of her own estate and that 
of her son; and it is recorded on her epitaph, 
that by prudence and good management she 
rescued the two ancient and distinguished fa- 



XI 

milies, with which she was connected, from ab- 
solute ruin, in times of the greatest difficulty. 
She closed her long and useful career May 8th, 
1659, without the gratification of living to wit- 
ness the return of her son from exile, and the 
honours so justly conferred upon him for his loyalty 
and devotion to the House of Stuart. 

Lady Bacon # was interred in the chancel at Cul- 
ford;f where the family monument still remains, 
which is thus described in an old MS. volume of 
Suffolk Church notes : f 

" Against the north wall of the chancel is sculp- 
tured the figure of a man, full proportioned, in 
white marble, lying on his right hand, on an altar, 
behind a woman sitting, holding a girl in her lap ; 
on her right are seen two girls, on her left, two 
boys and a girl, standing under the man, on two 
black tables with capitals. 

* There is a whole-length portrait of Lady Bacon at Audley End, 
which came from Brome. She appears in a dress of the time of 
James I. and has light hair and a fair complexion. The painter's 
name is lost. 

f Lady Bacon, by her will, ordered a monument to be made in the 
church of Oakley for Sir Wm. Cornwallis and both his wives, 
" Lady Lucie, one of the daughters and coheirs of Sir John Neville 
Lord Latimer, and myself, and all children of the said Sir Wil- 
liam ; and another monument for William Cornwallis, Esq., great- 
grandfather to Sir William." This had been directed under the 
will of Sir William, but was not done till after his widow's death. 

X Penes J. G. Rokewode, Esq. 



Xll 

"M.S. 

Sub hoc marmore vocem tubse praestolantur 
Exuviae filiarum, uxorum, matrum, foeminarum optimee, 
D n8E Janse Bacon de Culford in Comitatu Suffolcise, 
filise Herculis Meautys Armigeri a nobilioribus 

Elizabethse Satellitibus, filii Petr^Meautys 

de Ham in Comitatu Essexise Equitis aurati, et 

Philippse Coke filise Ricardi Coke de Giddy Hall 

in Comitatu Essexise Armigeri, Quae talibus et orta 

et digna parentibus, Gulielmo Cornwallis de Broome 

Militi Balnei nuptu data est, cui unicum filium peperit 

Fredericum Cornwallis deJBroomeMilitem et 

Baronettum ; Postea Nathanieli Bacon d e Cu lford 

Militi matrimonio juncta, filium unum peperit 

Nicholaum Bacon de Culford Armigerum, filias autem 

duas Annam Janamq; quarum natu major primo 

Thomae Meautys Militi, dein Harbotello Grimston 

Baronetto, juncta connubio est ; altera 

junior in Christo obdormivit. 

Erat autem ipsa, dum viveret, cum omnibus 

Virtutibus exculta, turn praecipue pietate 

Insigni, caritate singulari, prudentia. 

Ultra sexum, plane admiranda, qua tempo- 

ribus dimcillimis duas Familias antiquitate 

nobiles, quibus certissimo Divinee Providential 

nutu conjuncta fuerat, sola sustinuit, ab 

interitu vindicavit, et perpetuitatis spei 

Restituit, ingenti exemplo ! quale nee hactenus 

Cognitum, nee fortasse posthac sperandum. 

Adeo tegit hie tumulus illud, quicquid 
Mortale est, ejus Foeminae, qua? fecit quic- 
quid mortalitas potest. 



Xlll 

Ab hoe ad monumentum abiit 
Maii octavo 1659, set. suae 79. 

On a black stone over the above : 

ad dextram Stant ad sinistram 

Jana Bacon. Anna "I 

Jana Meautys. Fredericus >Cornwallis. 

Nathaniel J 

In sinu jacet 
Hanna Griraston. 

Infra jacet 
Nicolaus Bacon, Armiger. 

The monument is surmounted by an escutcheon, 
containing in the centre, Azure, an unicorn salient 
Erminois, armed Or, for Meautys; and on the 
right, Sable, gutte d'eau, on a fess Argent, three 
Cornish choughs proper, for Cornwallis; and on 
the left, Gules, on a chief Argent two mullets 
pierced Sable, for Bacon." 



»JW*49* ty*j*r*^f3fab 



SIR NATHANIEL BACON, the second hus- 
band of the last-mentioned lady, was the youngest 
of the nine sons of Sir Nicholas Bacon, of Red- 
grave in Suffolk, premier Baronet of England, and 
not his brothe r, as W alpole supposed,* who con- 
founded him with his paternal uncle and namesake, •,, 
seated at Stiffkey in Norfolk some years before, ' 
and the ancestor of the Lords Townshend. This 
error procured for Nathaniel a place amongst the 



XIV 

painters in the reign of Elizabeth, to which he 
could have no claim, having been born only in 
August 1585,* nor is any thing known about him 
till 1613, when he was paying his addresses to 
Lady Cornwallis. He may, indeed, as Walpole 
asserts, have travelled in Italy, and thereby im- 
proved a natural talent for painting, in which, 
according to all accounts, he attained some emi- 
nence, Peacham f even speaking of him as not 
in his judgment inferior to our skilfullest masters ; 
Lady Bedford also consulted him when purchasing 
pictures, and evidently attached importance to 
his taste. J Among the few of his works which 
have descended to us, his own portrait by himself, 
at Gorhambury, may be selected as not discredit- 
able to an amateur painter, though rather a stiff 
and formal production. Whatever merit his other 
pictures possessed, they have long since disap- 
peared from Brome and Culford, which proves 
that they were not held in much estimation by 
the descendants of his wife. Sir Nathaniel was 
ostensibly the favourite child of his parents, who 
settled Culford upon him when he married, in 
spite of his having several elder brothers ; but the 
mother had the greatest share in bringing about 
the match, and, though she said " We must not 

* Register of Redgrave Parish, ex inf. Rev. M. Wilkinson. 

t History of Limning. 

X Correspondence, pages 50, 51. 



XV 



lay out all our stock upon one purchase, having so 
many to provide for,'* her love to Nathaniel, on 
whom she doted, prevailed, and reconciled her to 
what would appear to have been an act of injustice. 
It should here be noticed, that this lady was Anne, 
daughter and heir to William Butts, of Thornage, 
Norfolk; that she had issue twelve children by 
Sir Nicholas ; and that they lived happily together 
fifty-two years, when death made the separation on 
her part, and she died September 1616, cet. suce 
69.* Her prophecy, that Nathaniel would make a 
true-hearted and honest husband, is borne out by 
the letters to his wife, for whom, notwithstanding 
the formal and ceremonious way in which he ex- 
pressed himself, he entertained a sincere affection, 
evident as it is that he stood in some awe of her, 
and that every thing was under her management 
and control. He was made a KnighlLofthe Bath 
at the coronation o f Charles, about which time his 
constitution, already delicate, was giving way ; and 
he died of a decline, July 1st, 1 627, at the ^age 
of 42. Of his three children, Anne will be men- 
tioned hereafter. f Jane died an infant, % and was 
buried near her father in Culford church. Ni- 
cholas, from whom some letters occur in the Cor- 
respondence, was born in 1617, and died Jan. 9, 
1660, unmarried, at which time he represented 

* Mon. Inscr. in Redgrave church. f Page xxvi. 

£ Oct. 31, 1627, aged three years and nine months. 



XVI 

Ipswich in Parliament.* There is a funeral cer- 
tificate of Sir Nathaniel Bacon, which says that 
" he was endued with many excellent virtues, be- 
sides his endowments of nature. He was a great 
lover of all good artes and learning, and knew 
good literature." His widow, to whom he de- 
vised his estates, which descended ultimately to 
the issue of her first marriage, caused his bust, 
of white marble within an oval, to be placed in 
the chancel of Culford church, where it still re- 
mains ; it is executed with spirit, and the features 
bear some resemblance to the Gorhambury por- 
trait^ On the side are represented a pallet and 
painters' brushes, and the tablet beneath is thus 

inscribed : 

Viator, 

Specta ! 

Nathanielis Baconii, ad balneum regale 

torquati equitis, 

Effigies hmc est ! 

quem quum usus et observatio in 

Stirpium historia sapientissimum 

Fecerant, eundem, en MIRUM ! IN 

iisdem penecillo exprimen- 

dis sola natura docuit 

arte naturam vincere. 

Sat debes oculis, 

Vale. 

* He is described upon a slab in the chancel, as " a man of 
great modesty, of most playne and single heart, of an antient freedom 
and integrity of mynde, loyall to his Prince, a lover of his country, 
and a great sufferer for both." — Suffolk Church Notes, penes «/. G. 
Rokewode, Esq. 

f There is no sculptor's name. 



XV11 

LUCY COUNTESS OF BEDFORD.— The 

memoir, given by Wiffen, # of this distinguished 
lady, though not uniformly correct, contains fewer 
blunders than those of her other biographers ; and 
he has, in some measure, cleared away the im- 
putations so lavishly but unjustly cast upon her 
character. She was the eldest of the two daugh- 
ters of John, first Lord Harrington, of Exton, by 
Anne, only child of Robert Kelway, Surveyor 
of the Court of Wards and Liveries; and at the 
death of her only brother John, the second Baron, 
in 1613-4, s. p., inherited the greatest part of 
his large estates. If the date upon her portrait at 
Alloa, quoted by Pennant, is correct,! Lucy Har- 
rington must have been born about 1582. She was 
married at Stepney,:): Dec. 12th, 1594, to Edward 
Russell, third Earl of Bedford. Upon the acces- 
sion of James, she went into Scotland with othe * 
ladies to meet Anne of Denmark, and was imme- 
diately appointed of her Majesty's bedchamber, 
and is soon after described as being so great with 
the Queen that every body respected her§; and 
from this time she became conspicuous as one 
of the leading beauties of the court, and main- 
tained her ascendancy till the death of her royal 

* History of tlie House of Russell, vol. ii. 

t " 1620, cet. sua 38."— 7W in Scotland. 

% Register of Stepney quoted in Lysons" 1 Environs, vol. iii. 

§ Diary of Ann Clifford. 



XV111 



mistress, at whose funeral she walked as an as- 
sistant mourner. We then find her retiring, after 
sixteen years' service, to Moor Park in Hert- 
fordshire, the lease of which had been granted 
to the Earl of Bedford by the King in 1617 ; 
when she made over her interest in Twicken- 
ham Park, where she had previously resided, to 
her kinsman William Harrington. It was at 
Moor Park that she laid out and completed, " with 
great care, excellent contrivance," and much cost, 
the garden eulogized by Sir W. Temple* as the 
most beautiful and perfect he had ever seen, 
" and with which" (says the Countess herself) 
" I am so much in love, that, if I were as fond 
of any man, I were in hard case."f But her 
health had long been declining, and her consti- 
tution impaired by two severe illnesses, in 1612 
and 1619 ; indeed she usually speaks of herself 
as an invalid, and subject to gout and other 
ailments : still she occasionally appeared at court, 
and interested herself in passing events. But 
the year 1627 proved exceedingly fatal to several 
of Lady Bacon's friends and connexions; the 
Earl of Bedford dying on May 2nd, at which 
time his wife was so ill and worn out -with a 
continual cough, that she survived him only a 
few days, and was buried with her ancestors in 
Exton church on the 31st of the same month. 

* Works. f Page 46. 



XIX 



She left no surviving issue,* and having previously 
made over the reversion of part of her estates to 
her niece, and alienated the remainder, it is not 
surprising that she died intestate ; and, in fact, she 
had announced her intention of selling Combe to 
pay her debts, and, " having no belongings to pro- 
vide for," to raise as good a life-income as she 
could. That her habits were profuse, no one will 
deny, but probably both her means and her expen- 
diture have been exaggerated; at all events, she 
was a munificent patron of the arts and an encou- 
rager of literary merit, and we find her acquiring 
the works of Holbein without regard to price ; 
and, perhaps, some of the portraits now at Woburn 
Abbey by that master, may have formed part of 
her collection. It has been remarked, that the 
Earl, her husband, had a distaste for public life, 
and his absence from the busy world is attributed 
to weakness of character; whereas we learn from 
the correspondence that he had before the year 
1614 been attacked by paralysis, which affected 
his speech and made him lame, and doubtless 
incapacitated him from active pursuits ; but he 
seems to have lived upon the best terms with 
his lady, and yet Pennant speaks scornfully of 
the Earl because he endured her / 

It is uncertain when the intimacy between the 

* In one of the letters she uses the expression, " if God had con- 
tinued me a mother." Page 62. 



XX 

Countess of Bedford and Lady Cornwallis com- 
menced ; though the nomination of Francis, second 
Earl of Bedford, to be supervisor of the will of Sir 
Peter Meautys, the ambassador, in 1562, shows that 
some intercourse between the families had long sub- 
sisted. They were certainly well acquainted before 
the correspondence commenced, soon after which 
Lady Cornwallis assisted her friend with a pecu- 
niary loan; and, indeed, throughout the letters it 
will be seen that there was a constant interchange 
of good offices and acts of kindness between them. 

The lots of the two friends were very differently 
cast : Lady Cornwallis leading a life of seclusion in 
the country, chiefly occupied with domestic con- 
cerns, had acquired somewhat of an austere and 
gloomy disposition, and was occasionally subject to 
low spirits : the Countess Lucy, full of grace and 
animation, was born to shine in courts, where her 
high station and a felicitous combination of wit and 
beauty enabled her to exercise so much influence ; 
while she was rendered still more conspicuous by 
her unbounded generosity to men of talent, and 
the refined taste which she imparted to all her 
pursuits. Not that Lady Cornwallis was wanting 
in acts of kindness and liberality to her needy re- 
latives and connexions, whose appeals to her for 
assistance were almost unceasing. 

Both ladies were unquestionably possessed of 
strong natural understandings ; but in one material 



XXI 

particular there was a strong resemblance in their 
characters, which had its effect in cementing their 
mutual affection, — both had been brought up in 
the pure Protestant faith : and whilst many of 
the letters, and especially those of Lady Bedford, 
are written in a pleasing and even a captivating 
style, it is gratifying to observe in all parts of the 
correspondence a tone of meek and unaffected 
piety, indicating that neither amidst the dissipa- 
tions of the court, nor the retirement of the 
country, neither in sickness nor in health, were 
those good principles of sound religion forgotten 
by the two friends, which had been inculcated in 
their youthful minds, and formed their best conso- 
lations in after-life. 



MARY CORNWALLIS, over whose history 
there hangs a cloud, was the youngest daughter to 
Sir Thomas Cornwallis. 

In 1579, Sir Thomas Kytson, of Hengrave in 
Suffolk, the husband of Elizabeth, sister of Mary 
Cornwallis, endeavoured to match her with his 
nephew, William Bourchier, Earl of Bath,* then 
on a visit to him. The Earl had been residing 
at Cambridge with his mother, Lady Fitzwarren, 

* John Earl of Bath died 10th Feb. 1561, leaving William, son 
of John Lord Fitzwarren, deceased, his grandson and heir, aged three 
years and eight months. — Inq. p. m. 3d Elix, 

b 



xxu 

and had only just attained his majority. The lady 
was probably somewhat older.* In the History of 
Hengrave will be found Sir Thomas Kytson's nar- 
rative of the affair ; f and appended to Sir Harris 
Nicolas's edition of " The Poetical Rhapsody," is 
a statement of the other party, from the pen of 
Francis Davison, a lawyer, written several years 
after the occurrence. 

Sir Thomas Kytson represents, that, " knowing 
this marriage would not be any way a disparage- 
ment to his lordship, and doubting also he might 
fall into strangers' hands, who would abuse his 
simplicity to their own gain, (and there is abundant 
proof of the Earl's weakness of character,) he en- 
couraged the match by all honest persuasions he 
could." 

According to Davison,:): the means resorted to 
were most dishonest, namely, those of intoxication, 
a charge which Sir Thomas Kytson's narrative is 
not exactly calculated to remove ; and subsequently, 

* Alice Cornwallis, an elder sister of Mary, was baptized 
23d August 1552 ; Lady Kytson was the wife of Sir Thomas in 
1560. 

f " A brief Abstract of the t pcedings of Sir Thomas Kytson with 
William Earl of Bath, his nephewe, touching the marriage between 
him and Mary Cornwaleys, d. of Sir T. Cornwaleys, Knt." — History 
of Hengrave, p. 187. 

X " Answer to Mrs. Mary Cornwaleys pretended Countess of Bath's 
libel against the Countess of Cumberland, being a defence of the mar- 
riage of "William Bourchier, third Earl of Bath, with Elizabeth Rus- 
sell, d. of Francis Earl of Bedford : by Francis Davison." 



XX111 

in a suit instituted by the lady against the Earl in 
the Ecclesiastical Court, the marriage was declared 
void. To atone in some degree for the injury 
inflicted, Sir Thomas Kytson, setting forth in his 
will, " that by his means and procurement there 
was a marriage had between the Earl of Bath 
and his sister-in-law Mrs. Mary Cornwallis, which 
did prove most unfortunate and to her great 
hindrance," therefore he did bequeath to her 
^300. 

Davison further reflects in his statement upon 
the character of the lady ; but we find her, through 
life, upheld by her family, and mentioned with 
honour by them. They maintained the validity 
of the marriage ; and Sir Thomas Cornwaleys, her 
father, who did not die till 1604, among other le- 
gacies to his youngest daughter Mary, unfortu- 
nately married to the Earl of Bath, gave her 500 
marks if she, by the advice of his daughter Lady 
Kytson, Sir C. Cornwaleys, and others, should 
commence a suit for restitution ad societatem con- 
jugalem of the Earl of Bath, her husband.* 

Whatever may have been Lady Bath's frailties, 
she was certainly more sinned against than sin- 
ning, and owed her misfortunes to the evil con- 
trivances of her nearest relations. That she was 
possessed of a kind and meek disposition, is evi- 
dent from the letters written towards the close of 

* Will dated 26th March 1604, proved 6th Feb. following. 

62 



XXIV 

her life, in the true spirit of Christian humility 
and resignation to the Divine will ; and though 
she entertained to the last a deep sense of the 
wrongs which she had sustained, and her mental 
sufferings were aggravated by acute bodily pain, 
she neither repined nor murmured at her unhappy 
lot. Shortly before her death she underwent a 
fresh persecution from an impostor, who pretended 
to be her son by the Earl of Bath, and threatened 
her life in case she refused to provide for him ; but 
as " the knave," as she styles him, was fifty years 
old, it is not likely that his attempt proved suc- 
cessful. 

Lady Bath died at Thorpe, in May 1627, in 
a house which had belonged to her father, where 
she had lived many years in retirement and 
obscurity, and, as it would appear, in very bad 
circumstances. On the tomb of Sir Thomas 
_j Cornwallis in Brome church, among the arms 

depicted of his children, occur those of the Earl 
of Bath impaling Cornwallis ; and in the Register 
of Burials we read, " Anno D ni 1627, Caroli iii°. 
The La. Marie Countess of Bathon, the youngest 
daughter of Sir Thomas Cornwaleys, Knight, was 
buried the 17th day of May." 






XXV 

SIR THOMAS MEAUTYS, and his first-U^/)U x ' 
cousin,* whose names were identical, flourished 
at the same time: no wonder that they should 
have been mistaken for each other, and their his- 
tories confused. The elder Knight was brother to 
Lady Bacon, and at an early age, embracing the 
profession of arms, was sent to his uncle, Thomas 
Wilson, in Ireland; and afterwards served, dur- 
ing the war of the Palatinate, with a company 
of English volunteers in the pay of the Prince of 
Orange, of which eventually he obtained the com- 
mand, without rising to further military distinc- 
tion. In 1625 he married Anne, daughter of 
Sir Richard Burnebye, of Warwickshire, and, ex- 
cepting occasional visits to England, continued in 
the Low Countries with his regiment till 1644, 
after which we hear no more of him, and it is 
probable, from his health being broken, that he 
did not long survive. His widow was living in 
1659, named as a legatee under the will of Lady 
Bacon, who had supported the family many years, 

* The portrait of Sir Thomas Meautys, by Van Somer, at Gorham- 
bury, has recently been engraved for the Granger Society ; but doubts 
have since arisen which of the two Knights it represents. On the 
whole, the probability seems to be in favour of the Clerk of the 
Council, who may, according to the caprice of the times, have been 
painted in a fancy dress, armed with a boar-spear ; whereas his 
cousin would have appeared with more propriety in the uniform of 
an officer. The younger Knight too was actually tlie possessor of Gor- 
hambury. At all events, the print is a very curious one, and ad- 
mirably executed. 



XXVI 



IH^lUf/iM 



\S 



and brought up Hercules, their eldest son ; but 
no trace of him, or his brother and three sisters, 
occurs in after-life, and the name of Meautys is 
thought to be extinct. 

The younger Knight was the third son of Henry 
Meautys, of West Ham, by Elizabeth, daughter of 
Sir Henry Coningsby, of North Mims, and well 
known as the confidential friend and secretary to 
Lord Bacon, who, after his fall, made over to him 
the estate of Gorhambury. It was to the same 
kind patron that Meautys, on March 5, 1618-19, 
owed the appointment of one of the Clerks of his 
Majesty's Council Extraordinary, the duties of 
which he performed till August 1645, when the 
office became virtually extinct. He had also in 
1626 succeeded to the Clerkship of the Writs and 
Processes in the Star Chamber, the reversion of 
which was purchased from Thomas Cotton ; and 
on Feb. 16, 1640-1, he receiv ed the distinction 
of knigh thood at Whitehall. His letters are writ- 
ten in a quaint ceremonious style, but leave an 
impression that he was of a kind and amiable dis- 
position, and ready at all times to oblige his 
friends. To Lady Bacon he showed the greatest 
devotion, and ended by marrying her daughter 
Anne, about 1637, though there must have been a 
great disparity in their ages. He die d in Oct. 
1649, s.p.s., and was buried near his illustrious 
patron, to whom he had erected a monumental 



XXV11 



statue, in the church of St. Michael's at St. 
Alban's. The widow remarried Sir Harbottle 
Grimston, Master of the Rolls, and deceased 
in 1680, having borne to each of her husbands 
an only daughter, and lost them both when 
children. She was a person of exemplary piety 
and adorned with every other Christian virtue, 
and Burnett speaks of her in the highest terms.* 



SIR FREDERICK CORNWALLIS, the only 
child of Sir William Cornwallis by Jane Meautys 
his second lady, was born in Nov. 1610, and aged 
one year and three days f at the time of his father's 
decease. He received a home education under 
the eye of his mother, and could not therefore 
have attended Prince Charles into Spain, as all 
the Peerages assert. In May 1627, he was 
createdj i Baron et by the in fluence of h is kins- 
man, Thomas Meautys, the Clerk of the Council, 
and shortly after was appointed an Equerry to the 
King ; about which time we find Lady Bacon busy- 
ing herself in endeavouring to negotiate a suitable 
match for her son : but he disappointed her views 
by selecting a wife from amongst the ladies of the 
Court, his choice falling upon Elizabeth, one of 
the daughters of Sir John Ashburnham, who was 
first a Maid of Honour and subsequently a Woman 

* History of his own Times, vol. i. p. 382. *j* Inq. p. m. 



XXV111 

of the Bedchamber to the Queen. In this alliance 
the King and his consort evinced a lively interest, 
even gracing the nuptials with their presence, and 
promising to settle ^3,000 on the youthful pair. 
They also interfered to effect a reconciliation 
between Sir Frederick and his mother, who, not 
being apprized of the marriage till after its so- 
lemnization, felt justly indignant at the omission. 
In 1643-4, Sir Frederick, then representing Eye 
in Parliament, retired with the King to Oxford, 
and sat with the members there ; and about that 
time had the misfortune to lose his wife, whose 
memory was long cherished in both the families 
to which she was allied, and we may pronounce 
her to have been a most amiable and kind-hearted 
woman. According to the inscription on her hus- 
band's monument, she had sepulture in the ca- 
thedral* of Christ Church; but no entry of the 
interment occurs in the Register, to fix the date 
of her death. 

Sir Frederick's attachment to the royal cause 
has never been questioned, and he served with 
distinction against the rebels; but after the death 
of the King, his master, he retired to the Con- 
tinent with Charles II., thereby suffering exile 
and the sequestration of his estates, and, return- 
ing at the Restoration to receive the reward of 

* " Oxonii in JEde Christi tumulata." 



XXIX 

his services, was created a Baron of the realm* on 
the eve of the coronation, at which he officiated as 
Treasurer of the Household: but his days were 
almost numbered, for he died of an apoplexy on the 
31st of January following, 1661-2, and was buried 
with his ancestors in Brome church. His second 
wife, Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Henry Crofts, of 
Little Saxham, survived her husband 13 years.f 

Sir Frederick, whose letters display no par- 
ticular talent, was of a thoughtless easy dispo- 
sition, which led him into constant scrapes ; he 
passed his life in offending his mother and asking 
her pardon, and no sooner was it obtained than 
he relapsed into his former extravagancies : still 
it is but fair to conclude with the character drawn 
of him by a contemporary writer, j who says, " He 
was generally lamented, being a man of so cheerful 
a spirit that no sorrow came next his heart, and 
of so resolved a mind that no fear came into his 
thoughts; a perfect master of courtly and be- 
coming raillery, that he could do more with one 
word in jest than others could do with whole 
harangues in earnest ; a well-spoken man, com- 
petently seen in modern languages, and of a 
comely and goodly personage." 

* The Patent sets forth that " he had served Charles I. from his 
youth with great fidelity, and suffered the loss of his estate, impri- 
sonment, and exile." 

+ For the issue of both marriages, see the Pedigree. 

% Lloyd's Memoirs. 

b5 



XXX 



AMBROSE RANDOLPH was one of the 
sons of Thomas Randolph by his second wife, 
Ursula Coppinger.* His father attained some 
distinction in his day, having filled the offices of 
Master and Comptroller of the Posts to the 
Queen, and Chamberlain of the Exchequer, and 
been employed at different times on embassies to 
France, Moscow, and Scotland.-)- Ambrose also, in 
1627, was appointed to a place in the Exchequer, 
the duties of which are not specified ; but he re- 
tained it till his death in 1660, and was buried 
at St. Peter's, Paul's Wharf. Of his wife Do- 
rothe we know still less, her parentage not 
having been ascertained; she was, however, re- 
lated to the Meautys family, calling them all 
" cousins," and on terms of intimacy with Lady 
Bacon, by whom she was consulted on her ma- 

* Vide note to page 225. 

+ PEDIGREE OP RANDOLPH. 

Avery Randolph, = Anne, d. and coheir of Sir John Gaynsford, 
of Badlesmere, Kent. of Ewhurst, Surrey. 

Anne, d.ofSir_ Thomas R., the = Ursula, d. of Henry Coppinger, of 
Thos. Wal- 
singham, of 
Scadbury. 



Ambassador. 



Buxhall, Suffolk. 



John, 


Anne, 


1 
Ambrose R. ; 


— Dorothe, .... 


jllll 
Thomas. 


ob. inf. 


ob. 1572. 


will proved 


ob. . . . 1675, 


Robert, 






20 Dec. 


S.P. 


living 1618. 






1660. 




Frances, 
Ursula, and 
Elizabeth. 



XXXI 

trimonial schemes and confidentially employed 
on other occasions. Dorothe survived her hus- 
band many years, and is described in her will, 
dated 21st June 1671, and proved October 1675, 
as " of Westminster, widow." She evidently left 
no issue. 







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CORRESPONDENCE. 



JANE LADY CORNWALEYS* TO MR. PARR.f 

M r Parr, — I hope you do so well remember 
what I said to you, at your being here, as that you 
have not given no incoregement to the gentleman 
to prosede in that matter, for, as I tould you then, 
I saye now, that sine Sir Willem Cornwaleys's 
death I neaver as yet had a thought of changing 
the course of life which I now lede. What may 
be my fortune herafter I know not, for it is onli 
known to Him which is the disposer of all things; 
whom I beseche so to direct me in all my courses 
as may be most to his glori : but this gentleman J 
being so desierous to see me, as you said he was, 
I thought then, and so I do now, it ware uncivell 

* For some account of Lady Cornwaleys and her correspondents 
see the notices at the end of the Preface. 

t ElnathanPar r, P.P. Req t pr of Palg raye, Suffolk ; which benefice 
belonged to the Cornwallis family. He was author of some theologi- 
cal tracts, published in 1614 and 1632. 

$ Nathaniel Bacon. 

B 



2 

part of me to forbid him coming, but left it, you 
know, to himselfe, and so I do still. 

Yo r asseured frend, Ja. Cornwaleys. 

[1613.] 

To my kind frend, M r Parr, at Palgrave. 



II. 

THE SAME TO THE SAME. 

M r Parr, — I am sorry that my last gaive you 
soch destast as by your last I parceave it did ; it 
was no part of my meaning that it should do so : 
and wareas you saye that Sir Nicholas and my 
La. expects their son should have soch grate pre- 
ferment by me, I must answer againe, that they 
have made it seeme other wayes to me, in asseur- 
ing me that it was myselfe, and not my fortune, 
which they desiered ; but, I confess, by several cir- 
cumstances I maye justly feare that I shall find 
my fortune to be the chiefe motive which hath 
persuaded them to this ; besides which, if I do, 
yet it will much discourage me for persevering any 
furder in it. 

Thus, being in hast, I rest y r asseured frend as 
long as you are as I take you to be, 

Ja. Cornwaleys. 

Pray let my love be remembered to M rs Parr. 

[1613.] 

To my varie kind frend, M r Parr. 



III. 

THE SAME TO THE SAME. 

M r Parr, — I thanck you for part of your 
letter, as farre as you ware indifferent in this 
busines ; but I must tell you that I did never 
expect that you would have ben a persuader of me 
to a gave awaye the increase of my owne estate, 
being you have eaver heard me earnestli to pro- 
test that I would not, though I had married 
to a much grater fortune then Sir Nicholas Bacon 
doth offer with his son ; for I would never have 
done my child so much wronge, though I might 
have had all the good of the world by it. This is 
no new thinge to you, for you know that before 
I eaver saw M r Bacon that this was my mind, 
and from which I neaver will be removed. Be- 
sides, whatsoeaver you and the rest of M r Bacon's 
frends think of my fortune in present, I know 
any indifferent bodi will saye it doth desarve farre 
grater offers then hath yet ben made me ; and 
in it I shall not nede to include that money which 
Sir Charles * is to paye, neaver in these. Besides, 
you know how often you have brought me word 
from M r Bacon that I should do with my own 
estate, besides my child's, what I would; which, 
if it should now apear to me that all this was but 
done to entice my affection, would be a grate 

* Sir Charles Comwallis, the Ambassador. 

b2 



reson to direct it another waye, and I fere I shall 
find such hard mesure ; but, howsoever, (yet) yf 
you carry yourself justly, you shall eaver find me 
your frend to my power, Ja. Cornewaleys. 

[1613]. 

To my loveing frend, M r Parr, at Palgrave in Suffolk, this give. 



IV. 

MR. PARR TO ANNE LADY BACON. 

Madam, — I receaved a letter from your La. by 
the hands of M r Bacon about the 15th of Octo- 
ber last, since which tyme it hath pleased God to 
make me unserviceable both for the public duties 
of my calling, and also for private offices towards 
my friends, even to the time of writing this letter, 
being the Lord's close prisoner in my chamber, 
not being able to indure so much light as might 
serve to read one line for my comfort. I beseech 
his Heavenly Majestie to sanctify his fatherly 
punishment to his own glorie and the good of my 
soul. I am so much the more bold to answer your 
letter, in as much as it has pleased you first to 
use me, and my La. Cornwalleys after to suffer 
me, as an instrument in this weighty buisnes, to 
the which I wish so well that I would contentedly 
go a hundred miles on my bare foot for the good 
accomplyshing of the same. For your letter, 
Madam, first, I thanke vour La. for it ; and then, 



I desier you to know, that you writt nothing that 
might grieve me as concerning myself, but my 
grief was for the ill speeding of the buisnes, which 
your letter did portend. For my La. Cornwal- 
leys her favour towards me, though I had great 
cause to fear the loss of it, yett I certify your La. 
that I have it as amply as ever I had, I humbly 
thank God for it. And whereas your La. writes 
of amends and satisfaction to be made to me for 
my trouble undertaken, I answer that, first, I give 
your La. many thanks, and then I protest before 
God, who knoweth harts, that I never aymed at 
any such thing, neyther have been carried to this 
so much as in hope of any preferment. But if 
you will needes know what were my ends, they 
were these : first, the approbation of my service to 
Sir N. Bacon and your La. ; secondly, and more 
chiefly the glory of God and his Gospel to be 
more advanced by this mach, besides the general 
good of the country by so worthy a gentleman, 
together with the persuaded content of all parties 
to insue upon the same. And therfore, that you 
may be well persuaded of my integrity herein, 
I do hereby freely and willingly discharge your 
La. of all care and thought of any satisfaction to 
be made for my paynes herein, though I despise 
not your love ; desiering that whatsoever you 
have intended this way towards me, may, with 
much more, be added to the enlargement of con- 



6 

ditions in this busines. The rest of your La? s 
letter, is, that you offer what you are able, and 
that you are not capable how my La. Cornwalleys 
could be offended att any thing, and that you 
referr it to the providence of God. For these 
things I humbly beseech you, good Madam, give 
me leave to speak boldly to your Christian hart, 
being as ready to use the like boldness to my La. 
Cornwalleys if ther lay such impediment on that. 
For your ability, Madam, though you know best 
your own estate, yett the whole contry, you even 
show with fayre reason to be partial on your 
side, judge that you are able conveniently to give 
full satisfaction. For my La. Cornwalleys her 
offence at the conditions; first, they are farr under 
the proportion of their valew, besides short in 
some thing of what formerly had been spoken of. 
Secondly, they were bredd from an erroneous 
supposition of her estate ; and therefore she con- 
cludes thus : If error, being less, bring forth such 
conditions, etc. then truth, being more, requires 
an enlargement. And truly, Madam, might it 
please you to give me leave to be so bold, if you 
were as wise as Solomon, what could you alledge 
why you should not amplify the conditions, con- 
sidering the worthiness both of the person and 
estate ? Not want of ability, for the contrary is 
more than evident; not the envy of others, for, 
first, you may do it with a good conscience, and 



that which you give M r Bacon already, breedes 
as much envy as if you should give him as much 
more. Not the provision of other kindred; for, 
first, that is nearest ; secondly, more necessary ; 
thirdly, they may also be relieved, though not so 
largely. Now, whether this be first to be re- 
garded or such kindred, this I say, by which so 
great good may redound to yourselves, the family, 
and the whole contry, he who is impartial will 
easily determine on this side. But you will say, 
how can the La. Cornwalleys proportion on her 
part, conditions expected in case of death ? To 
this I answer, that either she must perform what 
is fit and reasonable, or if upon capitulation you 
shall not be able, then you must be contented with 
such as are offered. I know, as you shall find her 
wise and courteous, so conscionable and plaine 
in everything. If you shall say, the worth of 
M r Bacon is great, I confes it, and greater than \ 

I will write, to avoyde suspicion of flattery; but \ 

sure then you will compare herselfe ? And thus 
much I oft have heard her say, that, had it not 
been out of at special regard of his worthines, and 
out of a great deale of respect to Sir N. Bacon 
and yourselfe, she would never have entertayned 
it thus far, upon greater conditions then yett 
have been spoken of by any. Surely, Madam, 
there is great reason, you very well know, that you 
should strayne yourself for the effecting of this 



8 

mach ; for, as I have often expressed on M r Ba- 
con's behalfe to her, that I think she should be 
as happy for an husband as a woman might be, so 
I expressed on her behalfe to you, that M r Bacon 
should be as happy for a wyfe as any man in 
England. Now for the last point, concerning 
casting yourself and the buisnes upon the provi- 
dence of God; it is well done, but yett, good 
Madam, call to mynde that which you know as 
well as myself, that meanes likely, fitt, lawful, and 
profitable are to be used, or else we do err in 
the practice of our fayth, or the providence of 
God. God hath made a way for you in this 
buisnes ; follow you the good hand of God, using 
such aforenamed meanes, and then commit it to 
his providence. A word of this is enough to you 
that understand and desyer to practise according 
to sound knowledge. And now, to cease to be 
teadious farther to you and troublesome to my- 
selfe, I eaven humbly beseeche Sir N. Bacon and 
your La. with impartial counsellors, to consider of 
this weighty affair, and not to lett slip so fayre 
an occasion of glory to God, good to the contry, 
preferment to your sonne, and comfort to your- 
selves. I would to God it might enter into your 
mynde to make some worthy additions to your 
former proffers. I beseche the Lord Jesus of his 
eternal Spirit to directe you in the managing of 
this matter to the accomplishing of it, if it be His 



good pleasure. And thus, praying God for the 
continual encrease of your temporal and spiritual 
prosperity, I present the remembrance of my 
humble duty to Sir N. Bacon and your Ladyship, 
and rest, 

Your Ladyshypps to be commanded in what 
I may, Elnathan Parr. 

[1613.] 



ANNE LADY BACON TO MR. PARR. 

M r Parr, — I have received your letter, and I 
am very sory that any losse of favour or otherwise 
any hurt should be to you, I am sure my letter 
could import no such thing. I cannot give you so 
large an answer to every poynt in your letter as 
wear fytt, but you shall hear from me againe very 
shortly when I have spoaken to my sonne, when 
I will truly answer your letter from poynt to 
poynt. I praye you comend my love to the Lady 
Cornwaleys, whose love I desyre to continew, 
though she will not yeelde it me in that sort I 
desyer. And thus, in hast, fare well. God hath 
the disposing of all things, and to Him I comitt 
this and all other. Yo r assured 

Anne Bacon. 

[1613.] 
To my assured freind M r Parr. 

b5 



10 
VI. 

NATHANIEL BACON TO MR. PARR. 

M r Parr, — I have sent to you according to 
my promise, being desirous to understand the 
estate of the supposed sicke person,* of whose 
health my well wishes have not as yet geven me 
leave to despair. I praye send me word whether 
our intelligence did fayle or not, and how the 
determination for the jorney houldeth, or, if the 
party be evilye affected, whether shee will be visit- 
able this afternoone or not ? Thus, not desiring 
you further trouble at this tyme, I commyt you 
to God. Yo r assured friend, 

Nath. Bacon. 

[1613.] 
To his much respected friend M r Parr, at Palgrave, gev this. 



VII. 

ANNE LADY BACON TO MR. PARR. 

Sir, — If my busynes had not bene much, and 
my stay at Redgrave very littill, I hade purposed 
to have sene you at Palgrave. But, I humbly 
thanke God, I did heare there you wear somthing 
amended ; I praye God to perfect your recovery. 
I have received your letters, but I have not leysure 
neyther to reade them as I shoulde, nor to wright 

* Lady Cornwaleys. 



11 

an answer as I would, my howse being full of 
strangers; but, if God will, I will wright shortly. 
My sonne Nath. as I thinke is at London, if he 
be not gonne beyond the seas, which he did pur- 
pose, as I percieved by his letters the last weak. 
Soon his distance will be very great, so as we are 
content to lett hym travell for his recreation. 
You shall hear from me shortly : till then, fare 
well ! By a dim candle, and old eyes going to 
bedd. Yo r assured freind, 

Anne Bacon. 

[1613.] 

To my very lovinge freind M r Parr, the Minister of God's word in 
Palgrave. 



VIII. 

ANNE LADY BACON TO JANE LADY CORNWALLIS. 

The greatest treasur vnder y e sunn (which is) 
the loue of God, the peace of consince and joy in 
the Holy Ghost, be w th you to yo r eternall comfort. 

My good La. 

I do percive that the olde proverbis be not 
alwaies trewe, for I do fynde y* the absence of my 
Nath. doth brede in me the more continuall re- 
membrance of hym : and I cannot thinke of hym 
but I must do the lyke of yo r LaPP. who I knowe 
is lodged in the principall p* of his hart. But 
how yo u stande affected vnto hym I knowe not, 



I 



12 

otherwise then his resolution to travill makith me 
to suspect it. But, howsoever, I do and ever shall 
loue you vnfainedly and most deerly in the Lorde, 
and ame and shal be alwaies redy to do any 
kindness or servis that one Christian freind may 
perform vnto another. And I wishe from my hart 
that I wear abill to obtain yo u to my selfe as my 
owne, if I myght be so happy. But what I can- 
not have by alliance, yo u shall have by Christian 
bande. And I wishe my sonnes estate wear awn- 
swerable to yo r content. In shorte, I hope to 
enioy yo u as I would ; for a trewer husband, and 
on that louved yo u better, shall yo u never have. 
But I comend hym and yo u bothe vnto the dis- 
posing of Almighty God, who sitteth in y e heavens 
and oderth althings in this wicked world for the 
good of his children and for the distruction of his 
enimies, howsoever for a tyme thay seeme to 
flourishe. To this merciful God I comend yo r 
LaPP. w th my littill swete cosen yo r prety sonn ; 
and do rest, Ever yo rs , 

Anne Bacon. 

Culford, y e 22 of Octobr a 1613. 

To my very nobill good freind the Lady Cornwallis, at M rs Cooke* 
hir howse, neer to the Earle of Northampton's howse by Charinge 
Crosse. 



* Probably Anne, widow of Richard Cooke, of Geddyng Hall, 
Essex, Lady Cornwaleys's uncle. 



IX. 



NATHANIEL BACON TO MR. PARR. 

M r Parr, — I am hartely sorry that I have 
lived so long in ignorance of yo r estate, that I 
must necessarilie doubt of your well beinge ; but 
my continuall prayers and well wishes in ther 
effects have promised so perfect a recovery, that 
my doubt resteth in part diminished. The success 
of my busines here hath so assured me of the 
constancie of fortune in myne endevors, that I do 
remaine desperate, wherfore I have undertaken 
that course for Antwerp which I intended, wherin 
I desier, by your well wishes, the continuance of 
your affection, of which I am already truely sensi- 
ble, that my actions shall not in any thinge be 
more happily employed then to endevor a requitall. 
If you come to London, I desier to heare from 
you, which you may easily do by the means of 
M r Quester, the postmaster of Antwerpe, dwell- 
ing in Fillpot Lane. In the meane tyme, good 
angels guard you. Yo r assured friend, 

Nath. Bacon. 

From London, October [1613]. 

To his much respected friend M r Parr, Preacher at Palgrave in 
Suffolk, deliver this, at Sir Nicolas Bacon's howse, to be convayed 
unto him. 



14 



X. 

nathaniel bacon to jane lady cornwallis. 

Sweet Madam, 

The pretiousness of a faier winde & a good 
ship, especially at this tyme of the year, hath 
constrayned to me (by the suddayneness of the 
occasion offered) to transgress all the bounds of 
loue & ciuillitye in that I haue not bin able to 
kyss yo e sweetest hands before my departure ; but 
these circumstances, I do not doubt, shall suffi- 
ciently satisfie yo e discretion and howld me ex- 
cused. Deare Madam, all my happyness hath bin 
purchased by yo e fayth to what I haue proffessed, 
wherefore farther protestations ar altogether un- 
necessarye ; onely lett constancie still seeme my 
cheifest vertue, w ch I do perswade my self shalbe 
easilye able to make good, or better yo e greatest 
expectations. My retourne shall rest altogether 
vppon yo e command & the conueniencye of far- 
ther proceedinges, vntill when I leaue you w th 
M rs Cooke & yo e pretty sonne, w th my best ser- 
uisse, and prayers for all blessinges temporal 
and spirituall most religiously attended. From 
Grauesend, ready to depart for Flushing, this 29 
Nouembre. Yours absolutelye, 

Nath. Bacon. 

[1613.] 

Yo e LaPP may be pleased to lett M r Cuckow 



15 

enquire at M r Quester's howse, the postmaster of 
Antwerp, dwellinge in Fillpot Lane, once in eight 
or ten dayes, wher he shall vnderstand of my 
letters. 

To the much honoured Lady the Lady Cornwallis, at M rs Cookes 
howse by Charinge Cross, geue these. London. 



XI. 

ANNE LADY BACON TO MR. PARR. 

M r Parr, — I have deffered my writting unto 
you, desyring to heare from my sonne, who hath 
byne at London ever synce the La. went up, and 
is either ther still, or else going over the sea, 
which he purposed when I last heard from hym. 
We have offered what we are abell, and what we 
can and will faythfully performe. If it be accept- 
ed, we shall rejoyse much therein ; if not, we must 
be contented without grudging, asseuring our- 
selves it is the Lord's doing. And although the 
juell layd before us be never so riche, if we be 
not abill to buy it we must be content to forbeare 
it. We must not laye out all our stocke upon one 
purchas, having so many others to provide for. 
God blesse the good La. with a richer choyse, that 
may bringe a happy content to hyr mind. I do 
honor and love hyr with my nolle hart, and 1 
know an honester and trew harted husband shall 
she never have. But this I leave unto hyr La. 



16 

consideration ; resting much indebted unto you 
for your kinde and faythfull love, which you shall 
finde as occasion dothe serve. 

Yo rs asseuredly, Anne Bacon. 

[1613.] 
To my much approved freind M r Parre, at Palgrave, give this. 



XII. 

nathaniel bacon to jane lady cornwallis. 

Sweet Hart, 

I thincke you haue already vnderstood what 
vse I made of the litter, & I confess I was not 
able by any meanes to endure the tediousness of 
yt any farther ; wherfore I made vse of the coach, 
according to yo e adwise, & cam well to Chelms- 
ford, wher I mett w th my Lady Withipoole,* w th 
whome I was enforced by her importunity to supp ; 
butt thatt night, after I was in bedd, a distemper 
cam uppon me, so as I slept little till the morn- 
inge. I could not impute yt vnto any thing but 
diet & ale of hers, w ch she comended vnto me, 
& w ch I veryly beleiue caused yt, althoug I would 
not lett her vnderstand so much. This day I haue 
very well passed ouer my journy, & got a better 
stomach than I had this month, that I hope now a 

* Frances, one of the four daughters of Sir William Cornwallis, by 
his first wife, Lucy Neville, married to Sir Edmund Withipoole of 
Leighton, Essex. 



17 

bettering in my health euery day ; w ch I hartely 

also wish vnto you, desiring you to be carefull of 

yt, & to geue yo e self the best content the place 

affordeth. Uppon Fryday or Satturday I purpose 

to depart. Comend my best loue to yo e self, w th the 

rest of my good friends, & comand him, who is 

alwaies & oneley Yo rs , 

Nath. Bacon. 

[1613.] 

My brother Killigrew* kyses thye hands, w th 
my sister, sending you many thanks for yo e kind 
tokens. 

To his most respected friend the Lady Comewalleys, at her lodg- 
inge in the Strand. 

XIII. 

the same to the same. 

Sweet Madam, 

W th ouT circumstances I am her the same man 
as I parted from you, beinge not able to make my 
self more worthy of yo e loue then before. I haue 
found base enimyes in myne absence beyond ex- 
pectation, but my cheifest friends firme onely in 
what they haue intended, & encrease of loue, al- 
though not of fortunes. Deare Madam, I am 
reasonably sensible of yo e deseruings & what 

* Henry Killigrew, brother to Sir Joseph Killigrew, married to 
Jemima, daughter of Sir Nicholas Bacon, and relict of Sir Edward 
Waldegrave. 



18 

concerneth my self; wherfore be perswaded of my 
best endeuors fore the satisfaction or furtherance 
of eyther. I haue freely imparted (not w th out 
great reasons) the success of my business to my 
father & mother, the entertaynement of w ch I 
will refer to yo e owne experience at yo e retourne 
into the contry, wher I shall be easily able to 
iustifie whatsoeuer I haue eyther protested for 
my self or promised for my friends. Vntill when 
all good angells guard you. From Culford, 
January xuiij. Yours, 

Nath. Bacon. 

[1613-14.] 

I desier you to kyss the hands of the L. of 
Bedford of my part, & lett her vnderstand that 
at this instant I am prouidinge to do her seruise. 

To his much honoured Lady, the Lady Cornewalleys, at Twitnam.* 



XIV. 

anne lady bacon to jane lady cornwallis. 

Madam, 

I cannot forbear to signify unto you how 
welcom my sonne Nathaniel with your favor is 
unto me, for without it I thinke I should not 
have seen hym a great while. And now, Madam, 

* In 1607 the Countess of Bedford obtained the lease of Twicken- 
ham Park, and resided there till 1618, when she gave the remainder 
of her term to Sir William Harrington. — Lyson's Env. vol. iii. 



19 

as you shall find us in love reddy to perform all 
things as we have spoaken unto you, so shall 
I not cease to praye unto the Lorde Almighty 
for the increase of faythfull love between you 
with all spiritual graces and happiness in this 
life, and in the life to come, endles felicity to you 
and yours, in the presence of the Blessed Trinity, 
whear is fulnes of joy, and at whose right hand are 
unspeakable pleasures for evermore. And if it 
shall please you to take Culford in your returne 
from London, you shall be most entirely welcom 
and I shall much rejoyce in it; and Nath. will 
meete you on the way to direct you thether. 
And thus, good Lady, with more trew love in 
hart then I can expresse in words, I leave you 
to the blessed direction 0/ Almighty God, and 
do rest Yo r ever loving freind, 

Anne Bacon. 

[1613-14.] 

To my deerly beloved freind the Lady Jane Cornwallis give this, 
at London. 



XV. 

NATHANIEL BACON TO JANE LADY CORNWALLIS. 

The neglect of my weekely promise, sweetest 
Madam, maketh me somewhat ashamed of the 
approbation of myne honesty by yo e letter ; but I 
am suer reason ther was, w ch I desier you will at 
the least imagine worthy an excuse. The owld 



20 

prouerbe, Out of sighte out of mynde, I haue 
proued directlye contrary, for I haue bin so wholely 
possesed in this absence w th the trewe consideration 
of yowr deservinges, that the desier of yo e presence 
is nowe inexpressible, & I do rest in a more 
troubled estate then yo e credit to my greatest 
protestations can make you sensible of. The tyme 
maketh me happy in the expectation of yo e sodayne 
cominge downe, w ch I wish for many respects 
may be made by this way: lett me vnderstand 
perticularly of yt, & I will warrant you safe con- 
duct ; vntill when I leaue you w th my best wishes 
& prayers moste religiously attended. 
Yowrs entyrely, 

Nath. Bacon. 

Culford, this February 6 [1613-14]. 

Speak yo e mynde to the Lady of Bedford in my 
behalf, & tell her that the weather hath bin very 
vnfauorable to the proceedinges of her picture. 

To the much honored Lady, the Lady Cornwalleys, geue these. 



XVI. 



the same to the same. 
Sweet Madam, 

The vnwished for newes in o e contrye maketh 
me desier the entertaynement of my speciale 
condolements w th you for the vntymelye death 



21 

of the Lord Harrington,* & leaueth me so 
sensible of ou e frayle estate in this lyfe that I 
cannot but w th my gratest oratory solycite a 
better assurance for the enioyinge of yo e sweetest 
companye. Deare Madam, make me happy in 
my chiefest desiers by yo e speedy retoarne, w ch 
is equally enuited by other conueniences. My 
father & mother ar determyned to make a longe 
journeye to Maubourne hilles presently after the 
feast of o e Lady, before w ch tyme I thincke yo e 
presence is neccessarily required. Remember y oe 
promise in cominge downe by my fathers, w ch 
seemeth specially conuenient unto me. The hast 
of the messenger biddeth me kyss yo e hands, 
wishinge you all happyness & restinge entyerly 
yours, Nath. Bacon. 

Culford, March 6 [1613-14]. 

For my Lady of Bedford, let my best seruise 
attend her, & my continual prayers for all comfort 
spiritual & temporal. 

To the most honoured Lady, the Lady Jane Cornewalleys, at M rs 
Cookes house by Charing Cross, geue these. 



* The second Lord Harrington, brother to the Countess of Bedford, 
who had succeeded to the title on his father's death a few months be- 
fore, and in whom the Barony became extinct. 



22 



XVII. 

anne lady bacon to jane lady cornwallis. 

Madam, 

Yo r delaye in cominge downe hath caused 
you once againe to be trobled with my deer Nath 1 
at London. I am sorry that your busynes doth 
carye you another way that I shall not see you 
at Culford in your jorney towards Broome. But it 
shall not be longe I trust in God before I see 
you in a neerer affinity then yett ever I did, in 
which I joye muche now; and I doubt not but 
you shall muche more joye in it, when I am with 
the Lord God in Heaven. My husband commends 
hym very kindly unto you, and we bothe doe 
very willingly give unto you the juill of our deer 
sonne. God blesse you together with abbundance 
of all felicity in this lyfe, and in the lyfe to come 
the presence of the Blessed Trinity, a greater 
happiness cannot be to any. Deer La. the bless- 
ed God be with you for ever. Yo rs , 

Anne Bacon. 

[1613-14.] 

To my most deerly beloved the Lady Jane Cornwallis give this, at 
London. 



XVIII. 

the countess of bedford to jane lady 
cornwallis. 

Deare Cornewallis, 

The K. of Denmarcke's unexpected coming* 
hath constrayned me to defer my setting forward 
towards Rutland from the 8 th of August to the 
tenth, which is Wensday comse'night, and so itt 
will be the 11 th before I shall be at Huntingdon, 
whear I promis myselfe the contentment of meeting 
you ; whearof to have a confirmation, and that you 
may not be ignorant of this alteration, I send 
this bearer, whom lett me intreatt you to dispatch 
as soone as you may : and suffer not any thing lesse 
then necessity to change your purpos, and M r 
Bacon's, to take this jorney for her sake that 
will ever be to you both a most assured and 
affectionate freind, L. Bedford. 

My mistresf comanded me not to forget her 
kindest comendations to you. 

Bedford House, in haste, this Saterday momeinge, 30th July [1614]. 
To my worthy freind the Lady Cornewallis. 



* James heard of the arrival of Christian IV, July 23rd, at Hawnes, 
in Bedfordshire, and returned to London immediately to meet him. 
The King of Denmark left England August 1st. 

t The Queen. 



24 



XIX. 

the same to the same. 

Deare Cornewallis, 

I know you thinke itt strange that you have not 
all this while hearde from me ; but, so I know too, 
when you know the occasions, you will acquitte 
me of deserving much blame. When I went from 
hence itt was with a full resolution, if God con- 
tradicted not my purpos, to have seen you at 
Broome before my retorne heather, and to have in- 
treated you to have made a journey to Exton to 
have been my gueste; but, because I could not 
sett a sertaine day for my goeing with you, I 
deferred my wrighting to you till I cam into the 
contry, wheare within 8 days the K. overtooke me ; 
against whos coming, and during his stay att my 
house, all my tyme and litle witt was so taken up 
about the busnes of house] keepinge as itt made 
me lay all else aside. Within 3 days after, my 
promis carried me to my Lo. of Huntingdon's,* 
wheare I intended to have made but 2 days' stay, 
and then to have retorned to Exton; but ther I 
mett with a peremtory comandement from the 
Queene to wayte upon her at Woodstock e, which I 

* Henry fifth Earl of Huntingdon, nephew to the Countess of 
Bedford, his father having married Sarah, sister to John first Lord 
Harrington, of Exton. He was Lord Lieutenant of Leicestershire 
and Rutland, and died in 1643. 



25 

did, though with so ill health as I had much adoe 
to get heather to use the helpe of some phisicke: 
yett I thanke God he strengthened me to beare 
out the extream distempers I was in till I camme 
to this house of mine, where I thought to have 
rested but a very few days, and so have gonne into 
Rutland againe wheare I left my Lord ; but itt 
pleased God to order itt otherwise, for within 2 
days after my arrivall here I fell so extream sick 
as I was forced to take my bed, out of which I have 
not for the space of these 6 weekes binne 3 days 
together, nor yett have ventured out of my chamber ; 
though I thanke God my health is much better 
then when I cam heather. Thus, Madam, may you 
see what hath soe long withheld me from sending to 
you, who I now hope winter will bring to this towne, 
which I should be extream glad to have confirmed 
by this bearer, and to hear that you and yours 
have escaped free from the danger or canker 
of this sickly tyme, wherein my people every whear 
have binne vissited with much sickness, which hath 
concluded at Exton with the death of poor Francke 
Markham,* the newse whearof camme to me yester- 
day and brought me a great deale of sorrow, haveing 
ever had cause to hope, if God had spared her lyfe, 
she wold have repayd my care of her with honnor 

* Frances, daughter of Sir Anthony Markham, Knt. of Sedge- 
broke, Nottinghamshire, by Bridget, daughter of Sir James Harring- 
ton, and niece to the Countess of Bedford. 

C 



26 

and comfort; whearin at her ende she hath not 
deseaved me, though my hope of seeing her happily 
bestowed be frustrate. Had she lived till All- 
hollandtyde she had died a wyfe, for I had con- 
cluded such a match for her, as I had reason to 
beleive she should have lived contentedly ; but He 
that disposeth all things hath provided far better 
for her. Other then sad newse I cannot sende 
you, the rest I have to wrighte being that my 
mother goes presently into Germany by my La. 
Elizabeth's extreame earnest desier, and the K.'s 
comandement ; which, the season of the yeare consi- 
dered, is so cruell a jorney I much feare how she 
will passe 'itt. But her affection to her Highnes 
keeps her from being frighted with any difficultie ; 
and her spiritt caries her body beyond what almost 
could be hoped att her years, which I trust will 
not faile her in this no more then in other labors ; 
which my weake hand begins to do me, and makes 
me remember how unexcusable my teadiousnes is, 
if part of the cause of itt weare not my care to 
satisfie you, who shall never have cause to acuse 
me of leaveing you unsatisfied, howsoever I may 
faile in seremonis, in any real proofe I may give 
you that I am unchangeably 

Your La? 3 most affectionat and faithfull freind, 

L. Bedford. 

Deare Madam, do me the honnor to keepe me 
in M r Bacon's favor, whos good opinion I should 



27 

be proude to deserve in any thing wherin I can 
be of use to him. Kisse litle Fred, from me, and 
desier him to weare the token I send him, that he 
may somtymes remember he hath such a freind. 
I hartely beseech Allmighty God to make him, 
your other, and all He shall give you, lasting 
comforts. 

Bedford House, from whence I shall remoove as I am able to 
Harington House, and ther winter, this 9th of Sept. [1614.] 
To my worthy freind the Lady Cornewallis, at Broome. 



XX. 

sir thomas meautys to jane lady cornwallis. 
Deare Sister, 

It is now all most a yeare since I heard from 
you, but have written often to you, yett not lately 
by reson of the remotenes of this plase, where I 
have lain in with my company this 16 weakes, 
which hath bin the cause I coulde not wryght. 
I shall be extreame glad to hear that yourselfe 
and little sonn is in good helth, which is one of 
the cheafest occasyons of this messenger's goinge 
for England ; whome I have gyven order to macke 
a jorny downe to your howse in the country, if 
his fortune be not to find you in London. His 
staye is not to be longer then to bringe me answer 
of some letters which I have sent him with to the 
Corte. I could wish my fortune answerable to 
my affectyon, that I might show it by doing you 

c 2 



28 

servis. Thus, commending myself very affection- 
ately to yourselfe and little Fredderyck, I rest in 
hast, Your lovinge brother, 

T. Meautys. 

Julyers, October 17, 1614. 

To my deare sister, y e Ladie Comewallis, present these, at Broome 
Haull in Souffolcke or elsewhere. 



XXI. 

the countess of bedford to jane lady 

cornwallis. 
Deare Lady, 

You should not have had so just cause to acuse 
me for being thus long without sending to you 
could I have told what sertayne acount to have 
given you of my fortune, which finding in ballance 
att my retorne out of Rutland, I still way ted to 
see which way itt would setle before I writte. 
Now I thanke God I can say, that out of a very 
great and almost hopeles danger my Lord of Bed- 
ford hath recovered so much health and strength 
as we are out of all fear of him, and doe conseave 
that the violent fever he hath had hath done him 
some good for his palsy, his speach being better 
then itt was before he fell sick, though his lamenes 
be nothing amended. His present state setts me 
at liberty to follow my terme busnesses, which 
daylie are multiplied upon me, and make me 
heavile feel the burden of a broken estate ; yett 



29 

doe I not doubt but by the assistance of Almighty 
God I shall ear long overcum all those difficulties 
which at the present contest with me. Though 
yesterday Sir John Haryngton* hath begunne a 
course in the Chaunsery against my mother, f but 
indeed most conserning me, wherby he will gett 
nothing but lost labor, nor will itt cost me more 
then som few lawyers' fees, and a litle troble, which 
I am borne to, and therfore imbrace it as part of 
my portion. I extreamly desier to hear wheather 
your ill health this sommer have had so happy an 
issue as I hoped it wold, which lett me intreatt 
you by this bearer I may, and wheather you have 
any purpos to see London this winter or no, be- 
cause, if you have not, I will then send to you 
againe before the ende of the terme. Your cousin 
Killegrewf is gonne to see your neyghbour for a 
while, nothing altered. My La. Uvedale § is be- 
come the fonde mother of a sonne. j| My La. Mar- 

* Eldest surviving son of Sir Henry Harrington of Elmesthorpe, 
Leicestershire, and next brother to John first Lord Harrington. 

t Ann, daughter and sole heir of Robert Kelway, Attorney-General 
to the Court of Wards. 

t Probably Thomas Killigrew, who some years afterwards married 
Cecilia, one of the daughters of John Croftes, Esq. of Saxham, near 
Culford. 

$ Mary, daughter of Sir Richard Norton of Hampshire, wife of Sir 
William Uvedale, Knt., M. P. for that county. She walked at the 
Queen's funeral, in 1619, as a Lady of the Privy Chamber. 

|| William, son of Sir William Uvedale, baptised Nov. 30, 1614. — 
Register of Westminster Abbey. 



30 

quis of Winchester is dead,* and our noble freind 
my Lord Mounteaglef very ill of a swelling in his 
throat. John Elviston died on Tuesday last, to the 
great griefe of all good daunsers. My La. of Rox- 
brought grows big, and lookes her for about the 
latter ende of the next month or begineing of 
December, which I fear will draw me to more 
attendance then of late I have putt myselfe unto. 
My mother affectionately salutes you, and this is 
all the nuese this dull towne afords ; else by this 
you may see I should be easily invited to lengthen 
my letter, which now I will conclude with my 
best wishes to M r Bacon, little Fred., and your- 
selfe, that have no whear a faithfuller freind then 

L. Bedford. 

Bedford House, this 27th of October [1614]. 

To my worthy freind the La. Cornewallis att Broome. 



* Lucy, daughter to Sir Thomas Cecil, Earl of Exeter, wife of 
William, fourth Marquis of Winchester. She was buried in West- 
minster Abbey. 

t William Parker, summoned to parliament in 1605, ob. 1622. 

% Robert Ker, first Lord Roxburghe, created Earl of Roxburghe in 
1616, was thrice married ; first, to Mary, daughter of Sir William 
Maitland of Lethrington ; secondly, to Jane, third daughter of Patrick 
Drummond, the lady here mentioned, who was of the Queen's bed- 
chamber, and governess to the royal progeny ; and is described as pos- 
sessed of considerable abilities. 

In the Gentleman's Magazine may be seen an acknowledgment 
for 500L, part of 3000Z. of the King's gift for her long and faithful 
services as Lady of the Bedchamber to the Queen, signed " Jane Rox- 
tru'rc/he." 



31 

XXII. 

sir thomas meautys to jane lady cornwall1s. 

Dere Sister, 

Yors by my footeman I receved the 2. of this 
month. You maye conceve how wellcome theye 
were to me, that have nott receved any from you 
allmost in a yeare before, though I vnderstand by 
yor letters that you haue wrytten many ; and if it 
will please you to giue creditt to what I wright, 
for hathe there bin writt by me vnto yo r selfe, w th 
assewrence I speacke it, aboue 20, far be it from 
any thought of mine to neglect you, soe mucth as 
you charge me w th it in yo r letter ; butt yf you 
haue nott receued soe often from me as I haue 
sent, lett yo r charytie be soe mucth to yor absent 
brother as nott to macke an ill construcktion of 
his affectionate indevours, w ch will be ever sucth 
as shall still gane from you more open loufe. As 
for any ill newes that you did forbare to wright, 
I thanck God, and I hope I haue known the worst 
of all that I coulde hear, and therfore when I 
vnderstud by my footeman that yo r selfe and little 
Frederic was in health, I assewered my selfe that 
you coulde right me nothinge that was ill; but 
my lackee tolde me newes as I coulde scase be- 
leue, till it was confermed vnder yo r hand, that 
you weare maryed, w ch was newes too on that I 
had som assewerence too the contrary. I shall 



32 

wish you yo r content in all thinges, and will praye 

for it, as all soe for the health and well fare of 

yo r little sonn, whome I hear grows grate. You 

may imagen how dificult a thinge it is for me too 

send over vnto you, for from the place from whence 

this corns it is very nere 250 myles too the seae 

side. I shall for this time troble you noe furder, 

butt dooe intreat that I maye be remembered vntoo 

my sister Shute.* From home I haue nott harde 

sence I left England. Soe in hast I rest yo r very 

lovinge brother, 

T. Meautys. 

Julyers, Desember the 7, 1614. 

If you please, you maye returne a remember- 
ance from me too yo r husband, if that in yo rs came 
by his direction. 

To my dere sister the Ladie Cornwallis, att her house att Broome 
in Suffolcke, these. 

XXIII. 

THE SAME TO THE SAME. 

Neither the convenyencies of the plase, nor 
the opertunytie of messengers, dear sister, hath 
afforded me meanes too send vnto you; besides, 
I haue bin haulfe discurridged in regarde that I 
haue receeved noe ansers of my letters this twell- 

* His eldest sister, Jane Meautys, married, first, — Shute, by 
whom she had an only daughter, who became the wife of Sir Alexan- 
der Radcliffe ; and secondly, Robert Radcliffe, fifth Earl of Sussex, 
and died in 1627. The Earl deceased in 1629. s. p. s. 



33 

month w ch I haue sent vnto you, yett I hope that 
I am nott holy forgotten, but rather I thincke that 
you want the comoditie to send as well as my selfe. 
You shall favour me mutch to haue a charytable 
oppinnyon of me, and to salute little Fredireck 
from me, whome- I wish maye remaine to yo r 
mutch comfort. 

Yo r assewred lovinge brother, 

T. Meautys. 

Julyers, October the 2. 1615. 



XXIV. 

THE COUNTESS OF BEDFORD TO JANE LADY 
CORNWALLIS. 

Bedford House, this of Desember [1615]. 

Deare Cornewallis, 

Because your woeman went so sodainely out of 
the towne as my letters fayled comming tyme 
enough to goe by her, I send this bearer, by whos 
jorney I shall not only have the means to bring 
myselfe to your remembrance, whear I desier to 
live as your most affectionat freind, but the con- 
tentment to hear how you and yours doe. If I 
might also by him understand that M r Bacon and 
you wold shortly be in towne, itt wold be very 
wellcome newse to me that am like to be a Lon- 
doner the most of this winter, to ayer my house at 
Twicknam against the spring. I am shuer the 

c5 



34 

busnesses now a foote hear flie over all the king- 
dom, and therfore cannot be unknown to you; 
yett Sir Thomas Monson's* being sent this morn- 
ing to the Tower perhaps will not be so soone 
with you by any other hand as by this letter; 
therfore itt tells you of that, and that the change 
of his prison is a signe ther is more to be laid to 
his charge then what consernes Overbury's death 
only. My La. of Somersettf is not yett brought 
to bed, but this is her last day of reckoning. 
Whear and when this tragedy will ende I thinke 
God only knows ; to whom, with my best devotion, 
I comende you, and beg of you that no omission 
of seremonis may make you thinke me the lesse 
Your faithfull freind, 

L. Bedford. 
Sweet Madam, comend me to M r Bacon and 
continue me in his good opinion, which I will be 
ever ready to deserve by any office of an aifec- 
tionat freind. 

* He had been created a baronet June 29, 1611, and was the an- 
cestor of the Barons Monson. He was arraigned at Guildhall, Dec. 
4, 1615, but the trial did not proceed. 

t Frances Howard, daughter of Thomas, Earl of Suffolk, the 
divorced wife of the Earl of Essex, married, secondly, Carr, Earl of 
Somerset. Her history is too well known. 



35 



XXV 



the same to the same. 

Dear Cornewallis, 

Had I not continually for a long tyme expected 
your coming up, it had been more needfull for me 
then you to have excused so long a silence. Now, 
having that to allege for myselfe, I will tell you 
that I cannot so easily forgett the many proofes J 
have had of your affection as for the omission of 
any seremony to suspect itt. I should have binne 
extream sorry to hear of your children not being 
well, if withall I had not heard so good newse 
of ther amendment, whos health I will hartely pray 
may so fast increase as I may see both you and 
them shortly hear, which I know cannot be but 
that I shall have M r Bacon's company too, whos 
good opinion and love I shall ever declare my 
redines to observe whensoever I shall be so 
happy as to know any ocation whearby I may 
wittnes what I am to him for his owne worth and 
your sake, whos 

Most faithfull and aifectionat freind I am, 

L. Bedford. 

Whight hall, in hast, this Good-friday at 12 o'clock [1616]. 

My La. of Roxbrough is so near her tyme as 
she is not able to wait, which tyes me to a very 
strickt attendance. Her sonne is dead. My La. 



36 

of Somersett* is sent to the Tower, and will be 
very shortly arraigned. The Queen's leg is nolle ; 
to prevent a relapse, as soone as the K. is gonne, 
she retornes to Grenwich and enters into a diet 
this spring. This is all the newse I can wright you. 

To my worthy friend the La. Cornewallis. 



XXVI. 

SIR THOMAS MEAUTYS TO JANE LADY CORNWALLIS. 

Dere Sister, 

The commoditie of this bearer, whome I vnder- 
stand to be of yo r partes, hath made me to wright 
vnto you ; for, sence som letters w ch I wrytt in De- 
sember last by Dennis that was my footeman, I haue 
not hard from you, neither of him that I imployed, 
w ch is now nere haulfe a yeare sence his goinge 
over that I haue vnderstood of him. Yo u shall 
favour me beyounde my merritt to lett me vnder- 
stand of yo r helth w th the wellfare of yo r sonn, and 
the rest, yf God hath sent yo" any by this yo r 
husbande. I shall for my perticular, beinge absent, 
praye effectually that all the contentments in this 
worlde maye attend you and those that shall com 
of you ; therefore I must ende, and rest allwayes, 
Yo r faythfull lovinge brother, T. Meautys, 

Julyers, Maye the 9. 1616. 

To the Ladie Cornwallis att Broome, my affectionate dere sister, 
giue these, in Suffolke. 

* Her trial took place May 24, 1616. 



37 



XXVII. 

the countess of bedford to jane lady 
cornwallis. 

Deare Cornewallis, 

This day I could not meet you because the rest 
of our company could not be ther, and tomorrow 
my La. of Roxborough's busnes,* whom I must 
not forsake, will passe a triall, so as I can neither 
goe my jorney nor hope to see you, if you goe 
away on Wensday, before your retorne into the 
contry, which I am extream sory for; but I will 
in the morninge send to you againe eyther my 
farewell or to reseave the good newse that you 
goe not so soone, which if you doe not, I will, God 
willing, com to you on Wensday, till when I kisse 
your hands. In extream hast, with the best affec- 
tion of Your most faithfull freind, 

L. Bedford. 

Grenwidge, this Monday night att 7 o'clock [1616]. 

* When the Queen was assured by Lady Roxburghe that her 
husband had secretly obtained from the King the promise of being- 
appointed Chamberlain to Charles Prince of Wales, she was very 
indignant that any person should have sought so eminent a place under 
her son without Her Majesty having been consulted ; and she made 
known her displeasure, and vowed that the offenders should buy the 
neglect of her at a dear rate ; and she kept her word, for Lady Rox- 
burghe was sent into Scotland in high disgrace, and never saw the 
Queen afterwards. Sir Robert Cary, afterwards Earl of Monmouth, 
from whose memoirs the above account is abridged, was, in a short 
time, sworn the Prince's Chamberlain, and continued of his bed. 
chamber. 



XXVIII. 

the same to the same. 

Dear Madam, 

Because I putte you by such a messenger 
to a needles troble to read thes lines, they shall 
only beseech you to take from him all the assur- 
ance of my love, and desier to manifest itt, that an 
honest hart can professe, till I have the happines 
to see you myselfe, which I hope God will not 
denie me before your tyme of deliverance ; though 
I am not able to sett a sertain day when, by reason 
of my building and som busnes I have with the 
dilatory Chancellor of the Exchequer. So soone 
itt cannot be as I wish, that long extreamly to tell 
you how unalterably I am 

Your most afFectionat freind to serve you, 

L. Bedford. 

From the More, this Wensday morning, in hast. 
To my noble and worthy freind the La. Cornewallis. 



XXIX. 

sir thomas meautys to jane lady cornwallis. 
Deere Sister, 

I haue receued yo rs by this post, and in readinge 
of it I remaned awhyle betwyxt hope and dispare 
till sutch time as I grew towards the eand of yo r 
letter, whereby I founde the grate cause yo u had to 
feare the well farr of my littl kinsman in regard 



39 

of his longe sickness ; butt, vnderstandinge that it 
was an ageue, I hope that you shall nott need to 
doubte any danger of him att this present. Yf my 
prayers may any waye availe him or yo u or yo rs , I 
coulde be contented to tourne beadsman all my life 
for to dooe yo u that charitable servis ; in the meane 
tim my earnest indeavou att all tims shall nott be 
wan tinge booth for yo u and all yo rs . Yo r kinde 
concleution in yo r letter I must eauer rest yo r 
debtor for; it is yo r worth, and nott my meritt, that 
eauer coulde deserve soe mutch loue from you. 
Conserneinge Rosseter whome I did imploye for 
England 3 months agoe, w th speciall letters booth 
to yo r selfe and other frinds, I haue nott since his 
goinge eauer hearde from him nor whatt is becom 
of my letters, w ch mackes me to more then wounder 
att this discomfitir, for I made choyse of him as on 
that I did asshewer myselfe I might repose trust in ; 
and yf that hee haue plaide the knaue w 01 me, 
if eauer villin deserved to be broken upon a wheele 
hee deserves it. I will att this time forbeare to 
troble you any furder, intreating yo u that my 
affection and loue may be remembered to yo r selfe, 
my brother, and my little kindred, whome I praye 
God to send yo u much joy and comfort of in this 
worlde. Soe in hast I rest, 

Yo r affectionate louinge brother to my last ower, 

T. Meautys. 

[1616.] 

To his deere sister the Ladie Cornewalleys at Broome, Suffolcke, 
these. 



40 



XXX. 

THE COUNTESS OF BEDFORD TO JANE LADY 

cornwallis. 

Deare Cornewallis, 

If your lines are ever exceedmge wellcome to 
me, both because they comme from you and that 
they bringe with them the assurance of the con- 
tinuance of your affection to me, which I infinitly 
prise and will never live not to deserve with the 
best proofes I can ever give you of mine, which 
I must acknowledge but a dew debt to you, as is 
the vissit I owe you at your owne house ; which 
that I have not according to my promis performed 
ther hath binne no fault in my will, nor other 
hindrance then His that disposeth of His, att His, 
not our pleasure, and, as I formerly writte to you, 
made my health such all the last sommer, and till 
itt was within this very few weakes, as I was forsed 
to setle hear and breake all my purposes to recover 
my selfe owt of a very ill state of body ; which I 
thanke God I have now so donne as I hope I shall 
be as well able to travell againe as ever, and if I be 
so I will, if beyond my power to helpe I be not 
againe prevented, see you att Broome before my 
goeinge into Germany, wheather my duty to my 
mother and her Highnes will carry me this springe 
if I be forsed, as I thinke I shall, to use the helpe of 
the Spaw for the confirmacion of my health and 



41 

prevention of som infirmities I have of late years 
been subject to, for which Mayerne counsells me 
to goe theather, which I shall doe with much the 
more willingnes that I may wayte by that ocasion 
on my mother, who crossed the sea theatherward 
on Thursday last, and I hope landed well that 
night at Callis, though I have not yett heard so 
much. I have not forgotten to putte the Queen in 
mind of her promis to you, but in that as all others 
she is sloe in performance; I will not be so in 
soliciting her till you have your desier in that as I 
wishe itt you in all else with as much unfainednes 
as I do any good to, 

Your most affectionat, most faithfull freind, 

L. Bedford. 
Doe me the favor to comend me affectionatly to 
M r Bacon. 

Bedford House, whear I am stayed in expectation of the Queen's 
daylie remoove to Wight Hall, which hath binne hindred by paine in 
her foote ; this Sunday morninge, in hast [1616]. 

To my dear and worthy freind the La. Cornewallis. 



XXXI. 

the same to the same. 

Dear Madam, 

I thinke myself infinitely beholding to you for 
your kindly sending this bearer; but indeed you doe 
me wrong to beleive I should have been gladder of 
any bodie's company in my jorney then of yours, 



42 

and should sooner have invited any of my freinds 
to have donne me that honor. But till very lately 
I was not assured wheather I should have gotten 
leave to goe or no, and, when I did obtaine itt, itt 
was with this condicion, that I should not invite 
others to the like jorney, which I do so punctually 
observe as I take nonne eyther man or woeman with 
me but my owne servants ; so as you see I have not 
binne left to my owne liberty in this, which if I had, 
be assured I should have intreated both you and 
M r Bacon to have seen the Hage with me, as thos 
of whos willingnes to doe me all honnor I am most 
confident, and whos companies wold have binne of 
extream contentment to me. If M r Bacon passe 
this way this sommer, I wish itt may be while I am 
ther, wheather, if God give me health, I intend to 
sett forward from hence on Tusday or Wensday 
comse'night, and to stay ther till towards the 20th 
of August, before the end of which month I must, 
if I live, of necessity be in England ; from whence, 
though ther be litle ods between crossing the 
Theams and sea, I part not without so settling 
my estate as, whatsoever becom of me, every one 
shall be shewr of ther owne, and you not be pre- 
judised by your kindnes to me, to whos days and 
comforts I beseech God Almighty to adde many, 
and to give me means to expresse how affectionatly 
I am Your most faithfull and thankefull freind, 

L. Bedford. 



43 



I will not faile to obey you to the Queen of 
Bohemia, nor to make such mencion of you as 
become my love and knowledge of you. 

Harington House, this 12th of July [1616]. 
To my worthy freind the Lady Cornewallis. 



XXXII. 

the same to the same. 

Dear Madam, 

It troubled me much that you should thinke me 
so negligent as not to have written to you againe 
upon so many sommons as itt semes the mes- 
senger of your last sayth he gave me : but in my 
excuse I must first say, the letter was left hear in 
my absence, and sertainly so hath his caulings 
binne for an answer, if at all ; for I have examined 
all my servants to whom I thought itt likely he 
might have addressed himselfe, and neyther I nor 
they can remember any such matter. Yett per- 
haps the fault hath not binne his neyther, soe he 
may well have binne often hear and missed me ; 
for som litle building I have in hand att the 
More, or other busnesses thear, against our goeing 
theather this sommer, hath for thes many weekes 
carried me often from hom. Shewr I am neyther 
want of affection or desier to make all demon- 
strations therof hath kept my letters from you, 
which I desier you will believe, and that the long 



44 
deferring of my promis to vissitt you hath binne 
inforsed by those occasions I could not avoid ; but 
this sommer I hope to find a tyme more freely 
mine to dispose of, though I cannot yett name any, 
being to attend a bargain I am making with my 
Lo. of Buckingham's officers for the fee farme of 
Combe,* which will carry me sooner or later thea- 
ther, as we conclude or breake : but I will first 
injoine you to give me your word, that you shall 
not make my coming eyther a troble or a charge 
for you. This dull towne afords nothing worthy 
the wrighting, for ther is almost nobody of quality 
left in itt. Of the Queen's court I can say litle 
good, for her resolution to part with Roxbrough 
still continues, which makes her looke big upon 
all she thinkes loves that good woeman, and they 
attend her very seldom : of which matter I am one 
that price her favor, but upon such an occasion 
cannot be sorry for her frownes, which are now 

* Combe Abbey, in Warwickshire, formerly a religious house of 
the Cistercian Order, most richly endowed, was granted by Edward 
VI. to John Dudley, Earl of Warwick ; upon whose attainder, Ro- 
bert Kelway, Surveyor of the Court of Wards and Liveries, obtained 
a lease of the estates at the rent of 1961. lis. 8d. After his death, in 
1580, his only child, Ann, inherited the property, and conveyed it in 
marriage to her husband, John, first Lord Harrington ; and their son, 
the second Lord, who survived his father only a few months, left 
Combe to the Countess of Bedford, with remainder, in failure of issue, 
to the children of his other sister, Ann, wife of Sir Robert Chichester. 
Lady Bedford alienated the estates, probably, under the arrange- 
ment above mentioned, to the ancestor of Earl Craven, the present 
possessor. 



45 

litle to me, all my court busnesses being so dis- 
patched as they will not much requier my attend- 
ance ther ; and I am growne to love my ease and 
liberty so well as no measuer of favor could often 
invite me theather, whear ther is no hope of any 
good to be donne. My Lo. Mownteagle and my 
Lo. Chandos* are very shortly goeing to the Spaw, 
though not togethear ; for my Lo. Mownteagle is 
growne so in love with a plentifull fortune and a 
privat injoyeing therof, as he shuns all other con- 
versation. When they are gonne ther will scarse 
be a gentleman to be seen about this towne, 
whence I shall not stirre till after Midsommer 
terme. Out of Scotland I hear no newse but that 
the Inglish of quality are very kindly and royally 
entertained by the nobility, but the meaner sort 
not so well used by the common people ; which 
trobles the K. extreamly, who entertains all the 
noblemen went with him not as servants but 
guests. This is all his jorney hath yett brought 
forth. By the next you can send to London by, 
lett me know when you looke you, that I may not 
apoint to com to you att an unseasonable tyme ; 
and I beseech you be more confident in my love 
to you then to suspect the declination therof 
upon the omission of any seremony, which I con- 
fesse I am often guilty of towards my freinds, 
though never willingly of any such neglect as may 

* Grey Brydges, fifth Lord Chandos, ob. 1621. 



46 

give them a just cause to suspect me; which you 
shall never have, but all the proofes in my power 
that I am as much as you can wishe, or is in me 
to be to any, 

Your most faithfull and affectionat freind, 

L. Bedford. 
I am very glad to hear by M rs Kendrick that 
your children are so well. He that hath given 
them you, give you with them all the comforts 
children can be to a mother. Lett my best wishes 
be remembred to M r Bacon as I make them for 
him, and give me leave to entreate you to do 
me the favor to lett som servant of yours carry the 
ten peeses I have delivered this bearer to Nor- 
widge, whence I have had two letters lately from 
the fine M r Russell, who itt seems the fayr Queen 
hath forsaken, for he wrights me word he is ther 
prisoner, in the under sheriff's house, in great 
necessity ; and it wear a great pitty so compleate 
a foole should starve, yett I am loth to send on 
purpose so farre to his worship. 

Harington House, this 26th. of May [1617]. 

To my dear and worthy freind the La. Cornewallis. 



XXX1IL 



THE SAME TO THE SAME. 



Deare Madam, — I have nothing to acuse you 
of, though you cannot but condemne me as a 
promis breaker, and so unmannerly a one as not 



47 

so much as to have excused myselfe to you ; but I 
must treuly protest that every weeke since my 
coming out of Warwickshier I have binne setting a 
day to com to you. From thence I was forsed to 
follow the K. by his coinandement for the setling 
of a busnes I have long had in hand for his servis 
and my profitt, and so could not gett the liberty 
of 2 or 3 days to goe into Rutland, nor since my 
coming to this towne to leave itt so many days as 
wold have brought me to you and backe againe ; 
which I protest I have as much desired as I now 
do any thing, and resolve if you com up this 
winter, which I am putte in som hopes you will, 
to lett you see neither winter weather nor ways 
can fright me from performing before Chrismas 
what I could not in the sommer ; though I should 
be extream glad to hear we should meete in this 
good towne, because then I should hope to be 
much the longer in your company, and to have 
your advise and M r Bacon's in my workes att the 
More, whear I have binne a patcher this sommer, 
and I am still adding som trifles of pleasure to 
that place I am so much in love with, as, if I 
wear so fond of any man, I wear in hard case. 
The last busness of this letter is, to beg of you 
the knowledge how you and yours doe, and the 
favor I may be affectionatly remembred to M r 
Bacon, and ever by you, as in all essentiall things 
I will be found, the trewest of your freinds, 

L. Bedford. 



48 

The Queene hath binne very ill of late, but 
is now well againe. The noble Lady Roxbrough 
is in Scotland, which makes me perfectly hate 
the court. 

Bedford House, this 22d of October [1617]. 

To ray very worthy freind the Lady Cornewallis. 



XXXIV. 

the same to the same. 

Dear Madam, 

Itt wold have eased me of a great deale of care 
if I might by your servant have heard that you 
had recovered better health ; which good newse 
since I cannot yett reseave, I will content myselfe 
with this hope, that this sicknes will in the ende 
pay you much comfort for the payne and troble it 
putts you to, and so make me amends that am by 
itt denied your company, which I so much desired, 
as I also did M r Bacon's, but not with the least 
wishe to deprive you in this state of your greatest 
comfort. Som other tyme, I hope, will be more 
fortunat to me then this any way is, and nonne 
shall I esteem more so then that which may bring 
forth an oportunity for me to testify the un- 
faynednes of that respect hath so often binne 
vowed unto you by your most afFectionat and 
faythfull freind, L. Bedford. 

Huntingdon, this 11th of April [1618]. 



49 



MyLo.Mownteagle and Sir Francis Good winne* 
affectionatly kisse your hands, as I do M r Bacon's. 
You have sent me a present I so much esteem as 
I know not how to find you sufficient thankes for 
itt, and can only acknowledge itt to be the finest I 
ever saw of this kind. 

To my worthy freind the Lady Cornewallis. 



XXXV. 

the same to the same. 
Dear Madam, 

I thinke the tyme too long since I heard from 
you and cannot longer rest doubtfull how you and 
yours do, which makes me send this messenger, 
by whom I also desier to understand wheather you 
intend to com to London this spring as I was told, 
which I should be extream glad of, because I 
should the oftener and longer have your company ; 
but, if you do not, I have now so setled those letts 
of my busnesses have heatherto hindred the per- 
formance of my promis to vissitt you, as I can now, 
if God Almighty continue my health, make good 
my word whensoever you will after S* George's 
day, when the ways will be fairer and the weather 
better for a jorney, by which I promis myselfe a 
great deale of pleasure in surveinge your good 
huswyfery : sooner I could and wold comme to 
you, if you wold have itt so, but that som occasions 

* Of Over Winchenden, Bucks, Knt. Ob. 1634. 

D 



50 

of my owne and my freinds make me not a free 
woeman till the K. goe to Newmarkett or Theat- 
ford, which will not be before that tyme. Till 
then, if ther be any thing hear whearin I may 
serve you, lett me know itt ; and if I do itt not with 
as much care and affection as possible for a faith- 
full freind, never beleeve again that I have any 
treuth in me, or am worthy to bear the title of 
your most unfainedly loveing freind, L. Bedford. 

Bedford House, this 7th of March [1617-18]. 

I had almost forgotten an earnest request I am 
to make by you to M r Bacon, but that a tricke 
my Lo. of Arundell* putt upon me yesterday to the 
cusning me of some pictures promissed me, putt 
me in mind of itt. I was told the last night that 
your father in law -f- was like to die, and that he had 
som peeses of painting of Holben's; which I am 
shewr, as soon as Arundell hears, he will trye all 
means to gett : but I beseech you entreate M r 
Bacon, if they will be parted with to any, to lay 
hold of them afore hand for me, who better than 
any other I am shewr may pre vale with his bro- 
ther, to whos share I conseave they will falle ; for 
I am a very diligent gatherer of all I can gett of 
Holben's or any other excellent master's hand; 
I do not care at what rate I have them for price, 
but shall thinke itt an extraordinary favor if M r 

* Thomas, Earl of Arundel, distinguished for his knowledge of the 
fine arts. + Sir Nicholas Bacon, who died 13th November 1624. 



51 

Bacon can procure me those, or any others, if he 
know any such therabouts, upon any conditions ; 
whos judgement is so extraordinary good as I know 
nonne can better tell what is worth the haveing. 
Som of those I have, I found in obscure places, 
and gentleman's houses, that, because they wear 
old, made no reckoning of them ; and that makes 
me thinke itt likely that ther may yett be in divers 
places many excellent unknown peeses, for which 
I lay wayghte with all my freinds ; and when M r 
Bacon corns to London, he shall see that though 
I be but a late beginner, I have prety store of 
choise peeses. Dear Madam, lett me hear by this 
bearer, wheather I have not binne misinformed 
concerning thes pictures, and if I have not, make 
them shewr eyther for me or nobody ; and be not 
curious to thinke I may pay too much, for I had 
rather have them then juels. If any copies of them 
be desired, I will retorne such as he must extra- 
ordinarily well know paintings, that shall distin- 
guish them from the originalls. 

To my dear and worthy friend the Lady Cornewallis. 



XXXVI. 

the same to the same. 

Dear Cornewallis, 

If this honest man had not offered me a means 
to convaigh these lines to you, I had sent a foote- 

i)2 



52 

man of my owne with them, to lett you know that 
though business hear falls out as crossely to my 
purpos of coming to you at this tyme as can be, 
(the K. s jorney to Theatford being stayed,) yett 
nothing shall make me leave you longer in doubt 
that I make promisses to you I intend not to per- 
forme ; therefore you may be confident that if the 
hand of God Almighty impose not the contrary, 
I will be with you about a fortnight hence, though 
I cannot yett name the certain day, because I cahot 
well leave this towne till the Court removes to 
Grenwidge, which will be about that tyme, but no 
day yett sett ; my stay with you will be so short 
as I wish you wold resolve my journey might be 
to fetch you to London ; whear I might have yo r 
company longer, for necessity will compel me to 
goe and come post, and rest but one day with you ; 
which I know you will alowe when you shall un- 
derstand the occasions command my being hear, 
which I reserve till we meet ; hoping that desired 
tyme to be now so near, yett so long I will not 
defer all my thankes to M r Bacon ; of whos care 
to do me the kindnes I unmannerly desired of him 
for some good pieses of paintinge, your chaplain 
hath been a faithful relator and made me a thanke- 
jesser debtor; which you both shall find if ever 
it be in my power to witness how unfeignedly I am 
Your faithfullest freind, L. Bedford. 

[April 1618.] 
To my dear and worthy freind the Lady Cornewallis. 



53 



XXXVIL 

the same to the same. 

Dear Cornewallis, 

You may see how unable they are to dispose of 
their own tymes that attend debts and other 
occasions, by my no sooner sending you word when 
I will be with you, which now I intend, by God's 
permission, to be on Tuesday com se'night att 
night, & staying with you all Wensday ; but on 
Thursday you must give me leave to retorne 
homewards, for I must needs be hear againe on 
Friday night.* I wright this in extream haste, 
therefore excuse me that I saye no more but that 
I will ever be found 

Y r most affectionat & faithfull freind, 

L. Bedford. 

Bedford House, this 7th of May [1618]. 

To my honorable frend the Lady Cornewallis. 



* An old household book of expenses at Brome Hall early in the 

xviith century, still extant, notices the Countess of Bedford's visit at 

the end of May 1618. The charges during that week amounted to 

11Z. 18s. 6d., being more than double the usual average expenditure. 

The following birds were provided on the occasion : — 





value. 




value. 


vii Capons, 


vs. 


ii Patridges, 


xviiid. 


vii Geese, 


vs. 


xii Larks, 


xviiid. 


iv Hens, 


ivd. 


vi Quails, 


xviiid. 


ix Ducks, 


vs. vid. 


vi Gnatts,t 


xviiid. 


xxviii Chickens, 


xs. 


vi Herons, 


vis. 



t Knots, the Tringa Canutus. 



54 



XXXVIII. 

MARY COUNTESS OF BATH TO JANE LADY CORN- 
WALLIS. 

Sweet Syster, 

I must needs give you great thaynks for your 
rare and bountefull present ; no meat in the woorld 
coold have ben so welcome. Evne at such a tyme 
as I coold not bee pleased with any meat to pleas 
my stomake, notwithstandyng I was sike of a che- 
ken yester night, yet I coold eat thys with desyre, 
and yet not sike of it, but my fitts never of mee. 
God give me paciens. I pray God send you a 
happy jorny and a safe and quik retorn. I have 
adventured to send you thys poor playn cakes, 
not so good as I wish thay were. Had I had any 

thynge of worth, I woold in deed have 

which in thees ragget lyns I seek to excuse. I 
have so many charges as I am determined to let 
my gowne aloane ; but if you will doo mee the 
favour to by mee so much meane stufe, canvas, 
or what stufe you pleas, of black and whyt, to make 
mee a wastcot for everye daye, you shall doo mee 
a great favour. I have stufe by mee will serv for 
thys loan plas, to make mee a playn gowne. If 
you pleas to get mee a black fann bought, I will 
leve troblyng of your La. but never leve lovyng 
you. I wished, as I comanded thys bearer to tell 
you, that you shoold not loose so much of your 



55 

presias tyme of entertaynyng and injoying so 
honorable a parsnach,* but put it inyourpoket till 
you come at London ; and so I bid you a harty 
farwell, resting your La'ps lovyng unfortunat syster, 

Mary Bathon. 

xx of May [1618]. 

I am bold to send thees letters to which of your 
attendans you pleas to comand, to get them dely- 
vered. 

To my lovyng honorable syster, the La. Cornwaleys, give these. 



XXXIX. 

the same to the same. 

Sweet Syster, 

Love doth most perfitly shyne when it is steeled 
in adversity. Age in thys world is of most young 
folkes much declined. The strongest estat I stand 
in maketh mee of no esteem, and that which I 
profes, and cannot, without desemulacion to God 
and the world, bee otherwise, maketh mee con- 
demned of the most base; but our Savyor's ex- 
ample, if I were as I shoold bee, might make mee 
thynke myselfe to suffer for Hym that suffered for 
us all ; but my weknes is such as, were not my 
hope in His mercye that He will not suffer mee to 
put up with my cruell fitts, were able to distract 
me. I protest your kind vesetacion ded much 

* The Countess of Bedford. 



56 

relieve my vexed mind, which made mee apeer to 
your L. as impotent in mynd as body, which your 
good dysposecion I well perseved tooke commis- 
seracion on, and made you pleased to troble your- 
selfe to give mee comfort in desyryng mee to come 
upon Monday, which daye or any daye I will, if 
you pleas to send, and shall, if my fitts bee not 
too vement, by God's gras come ; but, were it your 
pleasure, I had rather defer it till Thursdaye, but 
that by that tyme I dought your strangers will 
bee come, and I cannot but thynke compynyghe 
shoold bee troblesum to you at thys tyme, if you 
knowe any comynge. Sweet La. doo not send for 
mee. When you come home agayne, by God's 
gras you shall not keepe mee so long from seeing 
you, who will ever remayn 

Your fathfull lovyng syster f m hart, the 

most unfortunat Mary Bathon. 

[1618.] 

To my honorable lovyng syster, the La. Cornwaleys. 



XL. 

the countess of bedford to jane lady 
cornwallis. 

Dear Madam, 

I send this messenger to bring me word how 
you, M r Bacon, & all your little ones doe, and by 
him send my servant Fred, a sword to defend 
him from the malice of the buckes in this their 



57 

colericke season. This monthe putts me in minde 
to intreate the performance of your promisse for 
som of the little white single rose rootes I saw 
att Brome, & to chalenge M r Bacon's promis for 
som flowers, if about you ther be any extraordi- 
nary ones ; for I am now very busy furnishing my 
gardens. Thus you see itt is not good being too 
free an offerer to a free taker; but be not dis- 
couraged, for I shall be as free a requiter when- 
soever you shall make me know itt is in my power. 
I can not send you much newse from hence : the 
best is, that after many difficultis I have made an 
end, according to my wishes, of my busness with 
the K. & reseaved his graunt, with many excuses 
for the delays it hath had, and so much compli- 
mente as hath made amends ; the worst, that the 
Queen hath bled extreamly of late, wh h hath 
so weakened her as I much fear how she will 
recover itt, for I never saw her look so danger- 
ously ill, w ch makes me oftener a courtier than I 
intended, and, with my other ocasions, will, I 
think, draw me to winter att London, whear I 
should be glad to hear you minded to go. How- 
soever, I thinke I shall invite you towards the 
spring to do my niese an honor, if I can compose 
things according to my wishes ; an offer being 
made me for her pleases me well, & I doubt 
not will take effect, if her unreasonable father can 
be brought to do what he ought, which if love 



58 

will not make him, I hope fear will prevaile : * but 
of this lett no speache passe you, because itt is 
yett too early days ; but as soone as itt is settled 
to any certainty, & that the K. hath declared him- 
selffe, whos work it is, you shall hear of itt more 
perticularly from me, to whom itt will be of a 
great deal of use & comfort, if itt pleas God to 
prosper itt. So may He blesse all yo r indevors, & 
continue to adde to yo r happiness, which is not 
more hartily wished by any than by your most 
affectionat & faithful freind, L. Bedford. 

More Lodge, this 4th of October [1618]. 

To my noble & dear freind the Lady Cornewallis, att Brome. 



XLI. 

the same to the same. 

Dear Cornewallis, 

I must not lett this bearer retorne without my 
intreaty to you that to mine you will joyne your 
thankes to M r Bacon for the favor he hath donne 
me in furnishing me with such helpes for my 
garden, and lett me beg itt of you both that you 
will believe that I shall be gladder to deserve then 
reseave obligacions from you, though the demon- 
strations of good will to me are not wellcommer 

* This alludes to a proposed marriage between the Earl of Arran 
and Miss Chichester, which did not take place. 



59 

from any then your selves, whos love I infinitely 
prise, and requite with the best affection of 
Your most affectionat and faithfull freind, 

L. Bedford. 

Bedford House, in haste, this 6th of November [1618]. 

To my noble and worthy freind the Lady Cornewallis, att Broome. 



XLH. 

the same to the same. 

Deare Cornwallis, 

It is one of my misfortunes, and such a one as 
I assure you I am very sensible of, to be thus farre 
from you in a tyme whearein I perseave your love 
wold have made me that to you which I as affec- 
tionatly desier to be as to have myselfe the com- 
fort of a freind by me, when any opresion lies 
heavy on my hart, to whom I might trust my cares, 
and be shuer they should not only be safely 
lodged, but begett a desier to ease them as farre as 
wear possible, or at leaste advise how to make 
them lightest. I remember well what itt was you 
feared at your last being in towne, and.I am sorrier 
then I can tell you, that ther is such a resem- 
blance in our destines as makes you, like me, a 
trew professer to yourselfe of ills to comme, whear- 
in I have seldom failed. But, for all that, you 
must not loose couradge, nor let your kind sensi- 
blenes, which is the self-wordingest thing, make 



. ' 



60 

you so unkind to yourselfe and yours as to yeald 
up the strength of your resisting reason, and con- 
sent to sincke under that melancoly such hear- 
tofore unexpected distaste must needes breed in 
you, which I grieve hartely to heare hath already 
rought so ill effects upon your health, and so 
strong aprehencions in your minde, though I trust 
our good God will with a safe deliverance of a 
happy hearth restore you the one, and, if you be 
not wanting to yourselfe, so assist you as you 
shall to your contentment overcomme what causes 
the other; and which, when you have recovered 
strengthe of body againe, if you finde to continue, 
in my opinion you should do well to remoove 
heather, whear you will have better meanes to 
prevail, and shall have my servis, if you finde itt 
may be fitt for you to imploye me, or shall finde 
that of others of more power then my owne, by 
declaring that I have ingaged them to take care of 
you, may becomme of use to you in this ocacion, 
who I dare undertake shall do itt very willingly 
and readily, and perhaps itt wold not be to ill 
purpos if ther be cause. I am shuer you beleeve 
ther are not many for whom I durst ingadge my 
word to you so freely, and therfore will easily 
judge that I offer you the servis but of two ; but if 
those two give you not a good acount of what I 
promis in ther names, sett it on my score as a 
falsehoode. I should be glad you would resolve 



61 

to bringe up your children and familie, because I 
thinke itt wold be best for them and you ; but if 
on the sodain you cannot acomodate yourselfe with 
a convenient house for them all, if itt please you 
to lett me have your companie heare while you 
are provideing yourselfe with a convenient dwell- 
ing for your hole companie, you shall do me a 
very great pleasure, and, though my Lord should 
be in towne, no whitt straiten me, for I can well 
spare your wonted lodgings. Therfore, if you love 
me, be not scrupulous to make use of them. Itt- 
is now high tyme that I acknowledge the reseit of 
both your letters by this bearer, and withall how 
I aprehend your kindnes so many ways expressed 
to me in them; but no words can do itt, and 
so I beseech you to believe, because itt is trew ; 
and, besides that, I am farre from undervaluing, 
for misinterpret I cannot, the liberality you therein 
have used towards me, which is much more then 
ever I was a debtor for to any that aught itt not 
unto me, or then I have a hart or will to accept, if 
I durst at this tyme say I wold refuse what you 
so presse, which your kindnes only and the know- 
ledge of your disposicion takes off the shame I 
have so long detained, yett I will now keepe itt in 
my hands as you will have me; though I must 
still as your tresurer, not as a legacy, and that you 
will live to give me tyme when I shall leave the 
world, [and] be wittnes I am not behind hand with 



62 

you in affection, and desier to live in your memory 

be confident that ther 

is nonne of yours to whom I will be more wanting 
in any thing I may do for them then 1 wold have 
binn to my owne if God had continued me a 
mother ; and whear as your request is in general, 
and extends to nothing but what I hope you be- 
lieve not so ill of me as to thinke I wold not 
without itt have donne, and more, I beseech you, if 
you can thinke itt to any purpos, impose something 
more perticularly on me, for I will perform itt 
as I desier God should have mercie on me, joy- 
fullie I confesse in your life, but as faithfully if I 
outlive you; which wheather I doe or not, they 
shall be no loosers by what you have donne for 
me, that have at the present but prayers to the 
Almighty to repaye you with, which shall be 
offered up with the best devocyon of 

Your faithfully loving and thankfull freind, 

L. Bedford. 

Harington House, this 20th of Jenuary [1618-19]. 

I will, God willing, the next week send to 
inquier of your state, of which I hope to heare as 
I desier. 

To my worthy and dear friend the La. Cornewallis. 



63 

XLIII. 

the same to the same. 
Dear Cornewallis, 

I send this bearer to inquire of my sicke freinds, 
into which number I am extream sorry to hear 
M r Bacon is fallen, both for his own sake and 
yours, and as desirous as any can be to hear s of 
his amendement, which I hartely pray for, and 
hope to reseave the good newse of att this mes- 
senger's retorne. I heard not of his being ill till 
my Lo. Chamberlain told me of itt,* and that upon 
that occasion you had excused your selfe from 
coming to the Queen's funeral, whear I hoped to 
have seen you, and am doubly sory upon this 
occasion to faile of that contentment; ear long 
I trust a happier one will bring us with gladnes 
to meete, which I wish to you in as great a 
measure as I do to 

Your most affectionat freind and servant, 

L. Bedford. 

The K. is earnest to have the funeral hastened, f 
and sayth itt shall be on Saturday com se'night; 
but, for all that, I thinke itt will not be till this day 
fortnight. 

Bedford House, in haste, this Thursday morning, 
[April 1619]. 

* The Lord Chamberlain of the King's household was the Earl of 
Pembroke, a supporter of the pall. The Queen's Lord Chamberlain 
present at the funeral was the Earl of Leicester. 

t The funeral took place 1 3th May. 



64 



XLIV. 

MARY COUNTESS OF BATH TO JANE LADY CORN- 
WALLIS. 

Sweet Lady, 

I desyre much to here of your perfit recovery 
of helth and strenth after your great payne, and 
God send you much joye of your last sonn, and no 
less of your first. I hard latly by Roben Corn- 
waleys* you sent to have borowed my plat, which I 
ded fathfully offer, and such poor lynnen as I 
hade. Because you sed nothynge, I ded put it 
bye, and carry awaye the keys ; but, knowing mee 
as thaye ded, thaye myght have broken up the 
loke. I was, I protest, hartyly ayngry thaye ded 
not; and yet, if you have any furder cause, I have 
willed you shall have it of my fayth, and take any 
desyre from you in such kynde, as I doo thynke 
you love mee, otherwayes I woold not have bene 
so bold with you as I have bene many tymes. 
Sweet Lady, if you have cause to use it before I 
come home, I have sent the keys by thys bearer to 
the same purpose. I hope to bee at home the 
latterendyng or the begynynge of thys next weeke. 
I have had my helthe very well ever syns I came 
hether till the last Weddensdaye ; syns, I have bene 
very ill, and am not well at thys present. God 

* This Robert does not occur in the Cornwallis pedigrees. He 
probably is the Robert Cornwallis to whom Lady Bath's father, Sir 
Thomas Cornwallis, bequeaths a legacy, noticing, that he had dili- 
gently attended upon him in his illness. 



65 

give mee gras to submit my will too hys pleasure ; 

and I beseech Almightie God send Sir Edmund 

Bacon to escape hys peryles syknes, and you helth 

and many years. I praye remember mee to my 

brother Bacon and prety Frede ; and so I will take 

my leve. My syster desyrs to be remembred to 

you and my brother, not forgettyng my littill 

nevewe. 

Your unfortunat lovyng syster, 

Mary Bathon. 

xvi of September [1619]. 



XLV. 

the countess of bedford to jane lady 

cornwallis. 
Dear Madam, 

As full of just sorrow as my hart can bear, I 
retorne you affectionat thankes for your kind send- 
ing. What a mother I have lost I need not tell 
you, that know what she was in herselfe, and to 
me.* Yett God, that sees no affliction to worke 
sufficiently upon me, hath this last night added 
another heavie one to my former woe, having 
taken my Lord Chamberlain's sonne.-f- Yett with 

* Lady Anne Harrington, late wyfe of John Lord H. departed 
this lyfe, at their house, in this parish, 25th of May 1620, being 
Ascension-day, and was interred at Exton. — Register of St. Botolph, 



t William, third Earl of Pembroke, then Chamberlain of the House- 
hold, married Mary, eldest daughter and coheir to Gilbert, Earl of 
Shrewsbury. He died in 1630, s. p. ; both his sons, James, and Henry 
the one here mentioned, having died infants. 



66 

this mersy to him, that he hath given him the 
hope of another, my Lady being, as we thinke, 
with child againe. But alas ! this is but a fear- 
full comfort to him and his freinds, considering 
her estate, which gives him too much cause of 
doubt wheather she will ever bring any well into 
the world or no, for sertainly this tooke much 
harme by her unrulynes both in the breeding and 
bearth. Yett God is all sufficient, and I trust will 
blesse so good a father with the joye of leaveing 
som of his owne to succeed him ; and the rather 
am I incouraged to be confident He will show 
favor to him and to the prayers of his freinds 
therin, because though he was very fond of this, 
yett, in those tymes of fear the child's being 
subject to som infirmities gave us, he ever kept a 
mind ready prepared to resigne att God's pleasure 
so unexpected a blessing. Now itt is com to the 
trial I am confident he will show well tempered 
effects of that religious resolution, and bear with 
pacience what the Almighty hath donne, though 
itt be more to him then the losse of an only sonne 
to another father. My losse of a dear mother 
camme not so unexpectedly as my Lord Chamber- 
lain's did att this tyme, for to outward apearance 
his child mended, but my mother so manifestly 
decayed daylie as I could not flatter myselfe with 
hope she could continue long; though I looked 
not her ende wold have binne so sodaine, yett the 



67 

disease she was subject to threatened no lesse, 
which I, sorting with that opinion she ever had 
since I knew her, that her ende wold be sodaine, 
made itt, I thanke God, not so to her, who hath 
left many seremonis how well she was prepared 
for itt, which is my unspeakeable comfort. Itt 
now rests for me to follow as well as I can her 
good example, which God graunt I may, in live- 
ing for his servis, that I may die in his favor, 
whom I beseech to blesse you and yours, and you 
to comende me affectionatly to M r Bacon, who 
made me hope att his last seeing in June I should 
have seen you hear before this tyme, whear you 
have not so true a friend as you shall ever find 
your sad servant, L. Bedford. 

Harington House, in hast, this 1st of June [1620]. 
To my honorable dear freind the Lady Cornewallis. 



XLVI. 



MARY COUNTESS OF BATH TO JANE LADY CORN- 
WALLIS. 

Sweet Lady, 

Your letter of acknowlegen more then I have 
or can deserve, maketh mee ashamed of thanks for 
nothyng, syns I have reseved to frendsheps of 
substance for my poor thoutes of love, which is all 
I can requit my best frynd withall. Sweet syster, 
my hart bled when I last see you ; you ded with 
your presenc lyten from the 



68 

affliction of a most fearful mallyngcoly 

is now more oppressed with the foulest 

abuse that ever was offred to so innosent a person, 
a discors that wold take a great deal of tyme to 
set down, if you will here how your poor unfor- 
tunat syster, who hath been intolerable wronged 
by the Earl of Bath, who is my lawfull husband, 
and nowe by a knave, who sath he is hys sonn and 
I am hys mother ; who hath, in my consyens, lyne 
abought my house to kill mee thys month, the 
most ill favored knave that ever was seene. Sys- 
ter, I had never child by my Lo. and, I take God 
to bee my witness, am as innosent of thys beast, 
who wanteth not much of fifty, as any chyld thys 
night born. And so, good syster, bear with my 
unsensible wrytynge, and God in hevn preserv you 
and all yours. 

Your lovyng syster, the most unfortunat 

Mary Bathon. 

Thorp,* thys xviii of June [1620]. 



XLVII. 

the same to the same. 
Sweet Lady, 

I thaynke you for your late vesetacion after 
your late long journey, as lykwise for your wyse 
systerly cownsell, w ch my reson doth asarten mee 

* Lady Bath resided at Thorp Abbots, in a house which had be- 
longed to Sir Thomas Cornwallis. 



69 

to be the best. I dought not hys love bee 

so littill too mee, that hee woold not doo any 
thynge I shoold requir in so innosent a cause as 
thys ; but such a base roge as thys, who is known 

was born and crestened 

of hys kinsmane, who brought them into the con- 
try, whos testymony I send you here inclosed, as 
lykwise hys exammenacion before the iusteses of 
Bery, as lykwise by them that ded comit him too 
the iayll, my thaynks, any on that is a frynd to 

iustes innosensy were enough, syns my lord 

cheef iustes is aquaynted with my 

woorst evill by my neerest frynd lond, as 

my woost enymes withall ther malles,* brybes, 
and trayns coold or ded proove agaynst me ; w ch 
snare had not I ben trecheresly caught in, I had 
not ben left of my frynds, though such a man 

of powr playe that tyn ther alas 

no repugnyngsy, so myght thay doo and prove 
what thay woold agaynst so abiect a woman, who 
hath ever syns not known what an howr's true 
content, but sorrowe and syknes, and such an 

aflykted mynde as shoold rather move com- 

pacion then furder malles,* to set roges to intytell 
them selves myne. Syster, I here my brother 
hath nether coch nor horses, and, as I am told, is 
abought a matter of moment for hymself, w ch 
maketh me staye my desyne of hys being ther; 

* malice. 



70 

and for sume other resons , cosen 

Thomas Cornwaleys shall denygh mee, or els 

shall be ther by God's suffrens. If any frynds els 

. . stepe in to helpe to get such a knave 

punneshed, wherin my innosensy shall appeer to 
the woorld, I shall have cause to thynk my self 
beholdyng to them, and I hope God will reward 
theme. It is enough for a Crystyon .... saye 
that I desyre never too see the face of God if ther 
bee any chyld of myn in thys world. It hath 
pleased G . . . . knowe too send or suffer trobles of 

infamee, who hath as as I coold carryed 

my self thys xxxix year unrep Nowe for 

my conscyens, w ch I can no more at with- 
out vtter dispayr of salvacion. If you can no way 
helpe, yet, sweet syster, pety me ; if my tears wooll 
wryt black, I need no inke. Fear not thys paper, 
though the masels* is in my hows. I nor my 
howsold cam never neere the infekted ; but I pray 
God you nor my sweet nevew tooke no hurte, it 

ca knowlege, nether was it but sus- 

pekted were newly syted. I desyre 

to knowe howe you bearer, and before 

my going to Hengrave I desyre to have thees 
wrytyngs agayn. Accordyng to your fryndly offer 
I am bold this next weeke too desyre your horses, 

if you maye spare them ; if I can any 

th comand any thyng of mee or myne 

* measles. 



71 

as your own. And so God in heven bles you and 

all yours rem wish of all good to 

my bro .... Bacon. 

Your lovyng vnfortunat syster, 

Mary Bathon. 

I have sent you too of my brother's 

hard to read, w ch if I in send a a 

pa the daye, and I will se or them 

and the other coppyes ; and then I will namyn the 

daye 1 shall desyre your horses, if you spare 

them, or els I besech you let me knowe when it 
shall be lese * convenyent to you. 

[Thorp,] July [1620]. 

XLVIII. 

THE COUNTESS OF BEDFORD TO JANE LADY CORN- 
WALLIS. 

Deare Cornewallis, 

I know that by this tyme I have deserved and 
undergonne much of your censuer, if I have not 
lost all your favor ; which to redeem I do protest 
unto you that the only cause you have binne so 
long without hearing from me was, that I was 
ashamed to send till I could retorne you that part 
of your wealth you have so long binne pleased to 
trust me with ; to whom alone I had binne be- 
holding for a curtesy of this natur. Now, if you 
be so crewell as you cannot forgive me this fault, 



72 

please yourselfe in imposeing any punishment on 
me you thinke my offence deserves, and I shall 
willingly undergoe itt, so itt may purchas my 
pardon, which I affectionatly beg, under promis 
never to be a trespasser in this kind againe. I 
hope to reseave itt signed, by this bearer, who can 
give you an acount how I have spent my tyme 
this many months; att whos retorne to me if I 
might hear that you wold be shortly att London, itt 
wold bring an infinit deale of contentment to 
Your most faithfully loveing freind, 

L. Bedford. 

Leister, this 12th of September [1620]. 

To my worthy and dear freind the La. Cornewallis. 



XLIX. 

the same to the same. 
Dear Madam, 

I was long in much hope that you wold have 
held your purpos of coming to London this spring, 
wheare I have binne constrained to be almost all 
this tyme since your going hence ; which has made 
me the greater looser by the change of your 
purpos, as I am much the sorrier for that losse, 
since your want of health hath binne the occasion 
to keep you both from hence and the More, the 
places in this kingdom you may justlie chalendge 
to be wellcom to while they are mine, and whear 
you should find yourself payd with most affection, 



73 

as in all others whearsoever I am to injoye your 
companie; which if I did not believe you wear 
confident of, itt wold be an extreame increase of 
misfortune to me, since you could not imagine any 
good to be in one that should requite with less so 
many real proofes of affection as I have reseaved 
from you, and for which I can make no requital 
but that of loveing you very hartely, and that I am 
sure I doe, and doubt not of your being so as- 
sured ; after which no more is needfull to be sayd, 
since that includes all in my power. You have 
sent me the finest litle beaste that ever I saw, 
whos beauty may excuse many faults, if she have 
any. How well she will play I long to be at 
libertie to trie ; and, howsoever she proove, she shall 
be much made of for the hands' sake she comes 
from. Thus I am ever reseaving kindnesses from 
you, for which I have no better retornes then 
thankes to make ; of those, dear Cornewallis, 
reseave the affectionat one I send you, and when 
you can find any subject to exsercise your interest 
in me on, be not sparing to make such full trials 
from what a hart they comm. I know you have 
heard of the mariadge of your neise to Sir John 
Radcliffe's son,* and how slightly my Lo. of Buck- 
ingham hath performed the protection promissed 
to him. For the first, I assure you, your newe 
nephew is as fine and towardly a youth as any J 

* Vide note to page 32. 

E 



74 

know; and for the other, my Lo. Hamilton,* my 
Lo. Chamberlain, f and my Lo. of Mongommery 
have donne ther best, and will do still, to keep off 
all the blows they can others' malice aymes at 
her; but what the successe will be I dare not 
promis, so strongly is the K. insensed and so 
bitter yett in the prosecution; but I will assure 
you, if ther wear no other ground but that of her 
blood, itt shall make me keepe warmest in my 
freinds desiers to save her from publick shame, 
and I beseech you, since your own vertue exsempts 
you from all reproch in her, be so just to yourself 
as not to be afflicted with her danger. I can 
wright no longer, companie interrupting me ; there- 
fore, dear madam, farewell, and love still 
Your most faithfull freind, 

L. Bedford. 

Harington House, in hast, this present Tuesday [1620]. 

If you deliver not my affectionat salutacions to 
M r Bacon and your sonne Fred, itt shall be the 
ground of a greater quarel betwixt us then yett 
we ever had. 

To my dear freind the Lady Cornewallis. 



* James, second Marquis of Hamilton, created Earl of Cambridge 
1619. 

f William, third Earl of Pembroke, elder brother of Philip, Earl 
of Montgomery. 



75 



the same to the same. 

Dear Madam, 

If you will do me the favor to lett me have 
your companie hear while your busues stayeth you 
in towne, your lodgings will be ready for you 
tomorrow night, [to] which I hope you beleeve you 
shall be as wellcom as ever you wear to any place, 
and may as freely comand as when they wear your 
owne : so may you still, I assure you, esteem them, 
as long as they be in the possession of 

Your trewly loveing freind, 

L. Bedford. 

Harington House, this Thursday morning [1620]. 
To my noble & worthy freind the La. Cornewallis. 



LI. 

the same to the same. 

Deare Madam, 

I thinke itt long since I heard of you and 
yours, whos well beings and happines I most 
hartely desier, and send this bearer to inquier of, 
beseeching you to beleeve that no abscence nor 
lengthe of tyme can diminish that affection in me 
I have so many years professed and you so well 
deserved ; for, whensoever you shall have occasion 
to make trial therof, you shall find all in my power 

e 2 



76 

in yours to comande for your servis to the utter- 
most it can be extended, and that I shall reckon 
itt a good fortune to me to be employed by you 
in any thing that may give you assurance how 
unfainedly I love you, whereof itt wear an ex~ 
tream contentment to me if we wear nearer neigh- 
bours, that I might often tell itt you, which I 
can doe no more. But itt is in this, as much 
more, my happe to have much of what I wishe 
not, and want what I desier. Yett I hope eare 
long sum good occasion will bring you to London, 
from whence, exsept it be somtymes for a day or 
two, I shall not sturre till after Easter terme; 
my neese, her father, and I haveing bargained, 
she with him for the present posession of her 
land, and I with her for her posibility in the lease 
of Combe,* which to setle thoroughly, and provide 
to pay for, will coste me so long a stay heare. 
This donne, I intend to turn Combe wholly into 
money, bothe to make myself a free woman from 
debt, and with the rest of itt to rayse as good 
an estate for lyfe as I can, having now nonne but 
myselfe to provide for; those designes I had for 
my neese being crossed by her father's untoward- 
nes, and her owne porcion being sufficient for any 
matche. Nor do I fear finding this any searious 
worke for her, having a thing so well known, as I 
have already many offerers for itt. So as, dear 

* See note to page 44. 






77 

Madam, the favor you have so long binne pleased 
to doe me, I trust now very shortly to answer with 
a just account and payment of your owne, and 
will all my lyfe remember with dewe thankefullnes, 
and requite by the best means I can, having been 
donne me in such a fashion as I owne not the 
like to any other, which is unfainedly acknow- 
ledged by Your greatly loveing faithfull freind, 

L. Bedford. 

Harington House, this 20th February [1620-1]. 

Sweet Madam, coinende me affectionatly to 
M r Bacon, and blesse your sonne Fred, in my 
name, as I beseech God to doe all yours. 

The worthy Lady Cornewallis, my noble freind. 



LII. 

THE SAME TO THE SAME. 

Dear Madam, — I am extream sorry to hear you 
have binne so ill, but with as much gladnes thank 
God for your good recovery, whos health and hap- 
pines is not more hartely wished by any freind 
you have in the world ; nor indeed can any be more 
engaged to desier all good to you, since your con- 
stant affection to me challenges all the thanke- 
full retornes an indebted freind sensible of such 
kindnes can make, which though I confes my- 
selfe in expressing seremoniously, yet I will never 
be found gilty of neglecting any real proofes I 



78 

may give therof when eyther you or my good 
fortune may calle me to do so. I have myselfe 
had an unheal thfull spring of this, which I hope 
will not end in a lame leg, and that of that too I 
shall not long have cause to complaine. The 
greatest nuse I can send from hence is, that this 
day my Lo. of Arundel* is comitted to the Tower 
by the Upper House of Parlement for refusing 
to make a submission to the House, and give satis- 
faction according to the order of the House, for 
som reprochefuli speaches he had ther used to my 
Lo. Spencer ;f in which, nor his refusal to make 
a fitting reparacion, he hath not played the part of 
so wise a man as for his noble Ladie's J sake I wish 
he had. Sir Robert Chichester's § scurvie dealing 

* Thomas Howard, Earl of Arundel. 

+ Lord Spencer was speaking in the House of some actions of their 
lordships' great ancestors, which displeased Arundel, who cut him off 
short, saying, " My Lord, ivhen these things were doing, your ancestors 
ivere keeping sheep,'''' alluding to his flocks, in which he took delight. 
Spencer instantly replied, " When my ancestors, as you say, were keep- 
ing sheep, your ancestors were plotting treason.'''' The matter growing 
to some heat, Arundel was commanded by the House to make satis- 
faction for laying such a brand upon a Peer who was nobly descended, 
and refusing to obey, was committed to the Tower, but he afterwards 
humbled himself to the Lords. — Wilson's Court of James. 

X Alathea, third daughter and coheir of Gilbert, Eaii of Shrews- 
bury. 

§ Sir Robert Chichester, of Ralegh, co. Devon, K.B., by his 
first lady, Anne Harrington, a younger sister to the Countess of Bed- 
ford, who deceased in 1615, had issue an only daughter, Anne, the 
person here mentioned ; she was married to Thomas, Lord Bruce, of 
Kinlos, and died in 1627, after giving birth to a son, who succeeded 
in 1663 to his father's honours and estates, and was created Earl of 
Aylesbury in the same year. 



79 

hath broken up the match betwixt his daughter 
and my Lo. of Arran, * which drives me to play 
my game another way than I had layed my cards, 
and will hold me a Londoner till the ende of the 
next terme ; before which you shall hear from 
me againe ; and I am not unmindful of what any 
way I owe you, which is more than can be re- 
quited by your trewly loveing friend, 

L. Bedford. 

Doe me the favor to recomend me affectionatly 
to M r Bacon, and thank e him for his kind re- 
membering me. Sir Thomas Fraser, our oulde 
fellow, is eyther dead, or cannot passe this night, 
of an imposthume, the fisicians conclude, in the 
mesentery. 

Harington House, this 17th of May [1621]. 
To my worthy freind the Lady Cornewallis. 



Llll: 

sir t. meautys to jane lady cornwallis. 

Deere Sister, 

Not aboue 3 dayes beefore I receued yors by 
this poste, I spent som tyme in pervsinge sertaine 
letters of myne longe sence receued from my 
good freinds, & amongst others I founde som 
100 of yo rs that were rytten beinge a maide, a 

* James, eldest son of James, second Marquis of Hamilton, whom 
he succeeded in 1624-5, and was created Duke of Hamilton in 
1643. 



80 

wyfe, & a widdowe. Theise letters cost mee an 
afternounes worke to reede them over, & it did 
much comfort mee to finde by those lines that I 
wounce had a sister whose loue & affection in those 
dayes was nott to bee eaqualysed, & was glad to 
thincke w th my selfe that I had not as yett one my 
parte giuen any cause to the contrary. In regard e 
that yo u retourned noe answer of my letters by 
Salman, whom I imployed in England, I made 
my reckoninge that you (had) tacken your leaue of 
wryghttinge, and seeing the retourne of the ordi- 
nary courryer to com lickwise vaquant, it con- 
fermed my fyrst oppinyon and made it the stronger ; 
but sence I perseve by yo r last that it was onely 
want of commoditye & nothinge else that was the 
cause, yf it shoulde soe faule out that my occa- 
tions this winter shoulde cale me in to England, 
I dooe imagen that yo u wille thincke it noe dis- 
honnor to yo u to see mee com in good equypage. 
This last sommer yo u were neere beeinge quitt of 
a brother, but it hath pleased God, contrary to my 
one expectation, to restore mee. Thus, w th my 
loue to yo r selfe and those of yo rs , T rest 
Yo r trew affectionate 

T. Meautys. 

Arnheim, November the 7, 1622. 



81 



LIV. 

NATHANIEL BACON TO JANE LADY CORNWALLIS. 

Deeare Madam, — The constancies of my feares 
do enuite me continually, as occasion is offered, 
to a desier for the understanding of yo e estate, 
especially in these extremityes, of w ch I do fynde 
my self very sensible, & next for my most ho- 
nored friend the L. of Bedford, vnto whom my 
prayers do dayly entreat a talent of patience, 
equall or exceedinge her worst fortunes. I am 
already very weary of vncertayntyes, w ch maketh 
me hartely wish for a determined tyme of yo e 
cominge downe, the delay of w ch hath made me 
feele the inconuenience. My moother saluteth 
you, & desire th the entertaynement of this token 
of her loue. My father hath recouered his hear- 
inge, & much longeth for yo e presence. The 
newes of my elder brother's beinge aliue,* w ch was 
long since traueled, hath bin approued by iij or 
iiij merchants w th so great probability es that it 
must necessarily be he or his counterfeit; the 
tyme since his departure, his years, hayer, com- 
plexion, stature, qualletyes, & many perticular 
circumstances concerninge his friends, justifyinge 
yt w th such assurances that my father is deter- 

* Henry Bacon, second son of Sir Nicholas Bacon, said in the pe- 
digrees to have died at Jerusalem s. p. ; he is described as deceased 
in his father's funeral certificate in 1624. 

E 5 



myned mediately to send a man vnto him. If my 
conuersation her may perceiue more then yo e 
imagination, be pers waded that yo e retourne is 
uery necessary ; vntill when I leave you w th my 
L. of Bedford, attended by my best loue and ser- 
uise, and do rest constantly yours, 

Nath. Bacon. 

Culford, March 14, 1622-3. 

To the much honored lady the Lady Jane Cornwalleys, giue these. 



LV. 



COUNTESS OF BEDFORD TO JANE LADY CORN- 
WALLIS. 

Dear Madam, — I think itt very long since I 
heard of you, and therefore send this messenger to 
bring me word how you doe ; from whom I should 
not have binne so many months without hearing, 
but that for this two last I have had so much ill 
health and paine as made me for a good part of 
the tyme unable to wright, and yett hath left me 
but a lame woeman. Better nuse I hope to re- 
seave of you and yours, which T pray for, and shall 
wellcom with a great deale of gladnes ; for this 
fatall yeare keepes me in continual fears for those 
I love, which if I did not you hartely, I wear more 
than unworthy to have a freind. M r Bacon, I 
trust, hath by this tyme perfectly recovered his 
long sicknes, which, both for his owne sake and 
the comfort of your lyfe, I cannot but with much 



83 

affection inquier after, and do so to know when 
you intend to bee att London ; where or hear I 
hope wee shall meete this spring att the fardest, if 
the towne and these parts continue so cleane from 
the sicknes as, God be thanked, att the present 
they are ; though all the markett townes about us, 
and many small villages, Richmondsworth exsept- 
ed, have all this summer continued infected, as 
well as the citie, which kept me from sending to 
those I hoped wear farder from danger for feare of 
convaighing any to them, though God of his great 
goodnes spared my owne familie, and hath yett 
reserved me, I hope, for his servis : if itt may be 
also to doe you any, I assure you I shall love my 
lyfe the better, and be much the more your con- 
tented, that am 

Y r most affectionat servant and faithfull freind, 

L. Bedford, 

More Lodge, this 16th of January [1622-3]. 
To my noble & worthy freind the Lady Cornewallis, att Broome. 

LVI. 
nathaniel bacon to jane lady cornwallis. 
Sweet Hart, 

Hauinge this opportunitie by M r Chittock, I 
thought these my letters myght come to yo e hands 
before yo e retourne, being assured you would be 
very glad to heare of o e estate here in the contry. 
For my self, therfore, you may vnderstand that I 



84 

am reasonably well, but cannot quite my self of 
my distempers, although they be very small. Vp- 
pon Tuesday last also, in the night, I voyded some 
bloud to the quantitye of 5 or 6 dropps, but yt 
stopt agayne imediately, & so hath contineued 
euer since. I am now at Redgraue, wher I haue 
bin (ij nights excepted) euer since my retourne, 
& wher I begin to grow very restless ; for, the dis- 
course being long since spent, continuall repe- 
titions proue so tedious vnto me that some tyme I 
am so vnmannerly as not to geue audience. O e 
ehilderen ar well ; & little Nick hath cast his cote, 
and seemeth metamorphosed into a grasshopper. 
Jane is a very modest mayden, & is wholely taken 
vpp w tb trauailinge by her self, w ch she perfourmeth 
very hansomely, & wil be ready to runn at yo e 
comand when you retourne. Thus, w th my best 
love & prayers I leaue, resting alwaies & onely 
Yo es , Nath. Bacon. 

[1622-3.] 

To his best respected friend the Lady Cornewalleys, at her lodginge 
ouer agaynst York Howse, at the signe of the Stirrop. 



LVII. 

COUNTESS OF BEDFORD TO JANE LADY CORN- 
WALLIS. 

Deare Cornewallis, — I am sorry M r Bacon 
and you are so punctual observers of the comande- 



85 

ment* empties this towne, which itt is now too 
late, in regard of the state you are in, to tell you, 
that if I had thought that had binne any stay to 
your being a Londoner this winter, 1 wolde have 
donne you the servis to have gotten you a dispen- 
sation; whos companie I should have binne ex- 
tream glad to have had hear, whear I shall be 
for the most part till the spring : and though in 
this I am a greate looser, yett itt trobles me more 
to hear how aprehensive you are of a danger 
itt hath pleased God to carry you so often safely 
through, and so I doubt not will againe, though 
you may do yourselfe and yours much harme, by 
those doubtings and ill companions for all persons, 
and worst for us splenetick creatures. Therfore, 
dear Cornewallis, lett not this melancholy prevale 
with you to the begetting or nourishing of those 
mistrusts will turne more to your hurt than that 
you feare, which I hope will passe with safety and 
end to your comfort, unto which if I could tell 
how hear or thear to advise any thing, I wold 
affectionatly endeavour att in absence, and readily 
undertake a longer jorney to you than itt is to 
Broome ; for though I have long suffered under 
a condicion hath maimed me of all means in real 
effects to express itt, and hath almost made me 

* " March 27, 1623. A third strict proclamation came out for gen- 
tlemen of quality to avoid the town, and reside and keep hospitality 
at their country houses ; it was nothing pleasing to any, but least of 
all to the women," — Nichols's Progresses of James, vol. iii. p. 842. 



86 

hate fruitles professions, yett ther is no freind 
more sensible of what they owe to another, nor 
fuller of earnest desiers to deserve well of them, 
than my hart can wittnes I am towards you, to 
whom I am not in so much despayre of making itt 
appear as I have binne, nor, I hope, are you lesse 
confident that itt is an unfained truth, that I am, 
Yo r most affectionatly faithfull freind, 

L. Bedford. 

Harington House, this 28 of November [1623]. 

I will write you no newse, for that I leave to 
M r Bacon, who may hear in the towne very near 
as much as I know, since what is like a secret 
passeth underneath, and so sounds not so farre as 
this end of the towne ; only I will give you my 
testimony that the Prince is the most improved 
man that ever I saw, and that my Lo. of Buck- 
ingham recovers much of what he had lost, so as 
you may see that the only Wyse, who brings light 
out of darknes, can favour us by ways we could 
not imagine could have produced such happy 
effects. The litle juel you sent me is a tresure, 
being the finest and best that I thinke was ever of 
her kind, for which since I cannot thanke you 
enuife, I will use no words to thanke you for 
at all. 

To my noble and worthy freind the Lady Cornewallis. 



87 



LVIII. 

the same to the same. 

Deare Madam, 

I have binne hindered from sending to you as 
I purposed, first for want of a footeman, and sinse 
by the sadde accident of my Lo. of Richmond's* 
death, which tied me to give my tyme to the 
performance of the charitable offices I could to 
his La. Now I send with a great deale of earnest 
longing for the retorne of this bearer, because by 
your brother I hear you have binne ill since your 
being delivered ; but I truste itt is no other then 
som indisposition incident to childe bed, and that I 
shall hear you have recovered better health, which 
I wish as hartely att the leaste as the continuance 
of my owne. Howsoever, since the very season 
of the yeare invites you to itt, lett mee perswade 
you as soone as you are able to comme to London, 
wheare the best meanes are for the recovery or 
confirmacion of your health. You know your olde 
lodgeings, which, or as convenient a one if I keepe 
you out of that, shall be ready for you, and I 
infinitely gladde of your companie and M r Ba- 
con's. I never so much longed to speake with 

* Lodowick, Duke of Richmond and Lenox, Lord Steward of the 
Household to James I. He died suddenly, 16th February 1623. 
He was created Earl of Newcastle and Duke of Richmond May 1 7th, 
21 James. 



88 

you, and to have you out of that solitarie place, 
wheare I heare melancholie getts two much ground 
of you, which is so dangerous an enemie as I 
extreamlie desier to have you so neare me as I 
might offer you my best assistance and servis to 
overcom itt in yourself, and remove the causes if 
itt be possible. Therefore againe I pray you to 
resolve to chandge place for a while; som diver- 
tisments att the leaste you will finde heare, from 
whence I shall not, I thinke, remove till after 
Midsommer terme. Som acount of what passeth 
hear, to entertaine you, I will make unto you. 
First, my La. of Richmond's* losse, though it 
weare such a blow from Heaven as I must con- 
fesse I never knew given, will not kille her, of so 
strandge resisting stue are our hartes made. 
She was the happiest woman I thinke that lived, 
for by her owne confession she acknowledged, that 
if she should have sitte doune and studied what 
to aske of God for outward blessings and inwarde 
comforts of this world more then she enjoyed, she 
could find nothing to desier but a child ; and it 
was true, for she had of glorie and greatnes as 
much as a subject was capable of, wealth of all 
kinds in abundance, health and extraordinary 
beautie even at this adge, and, above all, a noble 

* Frances, daughter of Thomas Howard, Viscount Bindon, by his 
third wife. For a curious account of this Lady, see " Bry dges's Peers 
of James I." 



89 

husband, that was the love of her harte, and doted 
on her with the same pasion to the last ower of his 
lyfe that he did the first month of his being in 
love with her. Out of those loveing armes she 
rose not two owers before he died, and left him, as 
she thought, well, only troubled with a litle paine 
in his head, which made him desirous to sleep a 
litle longer ; which and his death was so quiet, as 
his man sitting close to his bedside knew not when 
he departed, but fearing, because itt was the day 
apointed for the parliment, that he might wake 
too late, called in a gentleman of his chamber 
that used to wake him, who drawing the curtain 
found him starke dead. I lay by chaunce that 
night att the Cockepitte, whither instantly this 
nuse was brought me, and I presently went to the 
Duches, in whos lodgeings was to be seen all that 
an unexpected calamity could show of sorrow. I 
much feared the first violence might have dis- 
tracted her, but her pasion had so liberal vent 
as I thinke itt wrought the less inwardly. Her 
haire, in discharge of a vowe she had formerly 
made, she cutte off close by the rootes that after- 
noone, and told us of som other vowes of retired- 
nes she had made if she should be so miserable as 
to outlive him, which I hope she will as punctu- 
ally perform e. For my part, I confesse I incou- 
radge her to itt, which, som say, hereafter she will 
love me nothing the better for; but itt is the 
counsel I should take to myselfe in her case, and 



90 

therfore I cannot spare to give itt. She offers to 
deall very nobly with my Lo. of Lenox,* yett I 
imagine ther will grow differences betwixt them 
out of his Lady's over greedines, for they already 
refuse to accept condisions they had subscribed 
to, though, if she have not very harsh and unusual 
measure offered her, itt is in her choise wheather 
to part with any thing to them or no. My Lo. 
of Buckingham hath made his declaracion to the 
parlement, who yett aplaude itt because itt tends 
to the final breach of the match with Spaine. 
The Houses have sitt so short a tyme as what 
they do is not yett to be judged, but I trust things 
will succeed well both for the Church and the 
Commonwealth. The Lord Marquis Hamilton is 
Lord Steward, so as that staffe hath had the good 
fortune to passe from a noble to a worthie hand, 
wheare I hope itt will long remaine. But I fear 
I do ill to wearie you with so many lines ; therfore, 
deare Cornewallis, I will not for the present say 
more then that I love you as your owne meritt 
and the obligacions I owe you justly deserves, 
and will never be wanting to you in any trial 
you may have cause to make of 

Y r most affectionat and faithful freind, 

L. Bedford. 



* Catherine, daughter and heir of Gervase, Lord Clifton, of Leigh- 
ton, married Lord Esrne Stuart, who succeeded on his brother's, the 
Duke of Richmond's, death to the Dukedom of Lenox and Scotch 
honours, and survived only a few months. 



91 

Wee have much hope that the Prince will show 
himselfe of such a temper as will be his owne 
glorie and the good of these kingdoms. 

My Lord Steward hath taken from me your olde 
servant Jeames Henly, and George Purser, whom 
he should not have had, if they had not binne such 
as but for his sake I should very unwillingly have 
parted with. Comende me, sweet Cornewallis, 
very kindly to M r Bacon ; and to my freind 
Fredericke, whom and the rest of yours I beseech 
God to blesse. 

Harington House, this 28 of February [1623-4], 



LIX. 

NATHANIEL BACON TO JANE LADY CORNWALLIS. 

Sweet Hart, 

I do long much to heare how you do, w th little 
Jane; wherfore I haue sent this messenger, by 
whom I desier to receiue an answer. Vppon Wed- 
densday last my Lo. Marshall* was here at Bury, 
onely to see me I thinck, for this place was out of 
his way to Thetford, whither he went : he would 
haue come vnto me to M r Pead's, but I preuented 
him by attendinge him at his inn, wher he was 
pleased to fauor me beyond my expectation. All 
the afternoone I waited vppon him about the ruines 
of the Abby. I presented him w th yo e casket; w ch , 
in respect yt was yo rs , I could hardly fasten vppon 

* Thomas, Earl of Arundel, created Earl Marshal 1621. 



92 

him, had not M 1 Short wittenessed that yt was be- 
fore sett apart for him. I exercised more yester- 
day by walking than I haue these 4 monethes, & I 
haue very well endured yt (God be thancked), be- 
ing at this tyme euery way better & better. If the 
childe be very sick, I pray do not hasten yo e com- 
inge hither, for yo e presence may better be spared 
her than ther. I comend my best loue vnto you, 
w th my continuall prayers for you & yo rs , and rest, 

Yo e most affectionate, 

Nath, Bacon. 

[Bury, 1624]. 

To his best friend the La. Cornewalleys, at Broome, geue these. 



LX. 

the same to the same. 
Sweet Harte, 

By the first ocasion I am desirous to comend 
vnto you the good health of o e childeren, w th my 
self, who longingely doth expect to heare of yo e 
safe arriuall at London w th some happy progress of 
o e troublesome business. My brother Coleby # is to 
come vpp this next weeke, beinge yesterday ar- 
rested at S r Henry Felton'sf sute, who I am sure 

* Dorothy, relict of Sir Bassingboume Gawdy, to whom she was 
second wife, remarried Philip Coleby. She died December 20, 1641, 
aet. 47. 

f Henry Felton, son and heir of Sir Anthony Felton, of Playford, 
Suffolk, created a baronet 20th July, 1620 ; he married Dorothy, 
daughter of Sir B. Gawdy, and seems to have quarrelled Avith his 
wife's father-in-law. 



93 

wilbe ready to do you any seruise if he shalbe 
at London in tyme. You may heare of him in the 
Middle Row in Holeborne, at a shoomaker's. Payne 
hath retowrned from London, & brought you a letter 
from yo e brother Dormer ; w ch I haue not sent you, 
because he himself, w th his wife, lieth in London, 
wher you shall se him. Instead of newes, (wher- 
of this country affordeth non,) accept the re- 
membrance of my old loue, w ch shall ne&er be 
estranger vnto you, & w th w ch I do at this tyme 
so much labour that I hope I shall make some 
good vse of this vacancie in my meditations for 
some better manifestation of yt; w th my earnest 

desiers to be wholely 

Yo rs , Nath. Bacon. 

May 6 [1624]. 

To his moste noble friend the Lady Cornewalleys, at Harington 
Howse, geue these. Leaue this w th M r James Henly, at Harington 
Howse, to be delieuered. 

LXI. 

the same to the same. 

Sweet Hart, 

I haue now receiued yo e letters w th much sat- 
tisfaction to my desiers, by vnderstaridinge of yo e 
health & safe ariuall at London after so trouble- 
some a journey; & do retourne vnto the healthfull 
estate of o e childeren & my self, who haue since 
yo e departure (thancks be to God) suffered very 
little in my brest. I do wonder much that the 



coraission was not retourned in the prescribed 
tyme, since I my self beinge at Norwich w th M r 
Morse * did so much vrge y t to M r Sherwood, who 
promised to retourne yt w th out fayle ; neyther haue 
I hearde any thinge of yt since yo e departure, being 
not able to coinend any thing concerninge that 
business but my many wishes for yo e frutefull en- 
deauors in the proceeding. My fatherf her hath 
taken me so wholy vpp to his seruise, hauinge at 
this tyme 50 men at worke in castinge his great 
pond, that I can hardly haue tyme to look home, 
being my self also studious to obserue him w th my 
best wits for the better effecting of myne & yo e 
desiers. You shall receiue by this bearer yo e 
wastecote, hauinge receiued yt this day from 
Broome w th the health of o e childeren. I could 
gladly vnderstande some tyme for the expectation 
of yo e retourne, but I do expect uncertayntye in yt 
from the vncertaynety of o e business; being as- 
sured that w th its licence ou r mutuall loues shall 
receiue quickly ther mutuall desiers in each other's 
presence. In the meane tyme I leaue yt, w th my 
self, wholely to yo e disposing; and you e self at- 
tended w th the best prayers of him who wilbe 
alwaies Yo e Nath. Bacon. 

I pray speak to John Fenn to buy me 3 ownces 
of masticott more than I wrote for, & it need not 
be of the best sort, yt being for yo e seate, w ch was 

* Lady Cornwalleys's steward. + Sir Nicholas Bacon. 



95 

sett vpp the last Satterday. We haue payed a 
subsidie & halfe to the beneuolence. My seruice 
to all w th you. 

Culford, May 15 [1624]. 

To his moste worthy friend the Lady Cornewalleys, at the Lady 
Cooke's howse by Charing Cross, geue these. 



LXII. 

the same to the same. 

Sweet Hart, 

The tyme since yo e departure seemeth longe, & 
my desiers for yo e company maketh me desier also 
you e resolution for a retourne. I know not the 
second success of o e business, but I am fully per- 
suaded that it is no less troublesome to you than 
the former, w ch maketh me still wish that yo e pa- 
tience may so digest yt that yt may prevent any 
inconvenience w ch eyther body or mynde may from 
thence suffer, & wherin I should be much satisfied 
if I might vnderstand of any content intermixt w th 
this yo e trouble. News o r country affordeth none 
but this, that we both are presented by the church- 
wardens at this last visitation, the Archdeacon 
being present, urging yt, for not keepinge o e church 
in the after noone. My neece Nann Gawdy * also 
is, I thinck, certayne of a husband, w ch is M r 
Stanhope. Myself with o e children ar in perfect 

* Anne, daughter of Sir Nathaniel's second sister Dorothy, by her 
first husband, Sir Bassingbourne Gawdy, Knt. of Harling, Norfolk. 



96 

health at this present. I haue not yett receued 
any letter from you this week by reason of my 
beinge now at Broome, wherefore I cannot by this 
make any particular answer, onely I commend, by 
any occasion offered, my harty prayers for yo e 
health w th Fred's, & desier alwaies the contineuance 
of yo e favorable affection to him, who, although 
weak in desert yet stronge in hart, shall ever be 
onely, You rs , Nath. Bacon. 

[1624.] 

I pray lett Johnsen have this thred inclosed, w ch 
is the length of my pistolls, whereby he may gett 
y cases for them ; the pistolls ar of the biggness of 
breach pistolls. 

To his moste worthy friend the Lady Cornewalleys, at the Lady 
Cooke's house by Charing Cross, London. 



LXIII. 

the same to the same. 

Myne owne Sweet Hart, 

I belieue this tyme (affording for the moste 
part diuersity of messengers) hath fayled yo e ex- 
pectation in hearing oftener from me, w ch I do 
assure you hath not bin my fault, I hauinge bin 
continually inquisitiue this last week for a priuate 
messenger, wherin I fayled; & now w th the first, 
I do comend vnto you the good estate of o e chil- 
deren, w th some betteringe of myne owne, as also of 



97 

my sister Waldegraue's, whose best loue, w th my 
sister Drurye's, do attend you. I am sorry to 
heare of yo e head ach, for w ch I belieue S r 
Charles Cornewalleys will proue no good phisitian.* 
My brother Nick was maryed vppon Satterday 
last to M ,s Darcey;f & for contry newes, you may 
vnderstand, if you haue not already, that for cer- 
tayne the States of Holland wer, the last Sunday 
was a seuennight, w th the King, wher, takinge oc- 

* The reader is referred to a very curious letter, printed in the 
History of Hengrave, page 73, from Sir Thomas Comwalleys to his 
sister, Lady Kytson, in which he draws the character of his two sons, 
Sir William and Sir Charles, with a feeling and masterly hand ; and 
deeply laments their unnatural quarrels. This was in 1594, and the 
same bad spirit had no way abated in 1605, when the Earl of Nor- 
thampton, in writing to Sir Charles Cornwallis, then our ambassador 
in Spain, uses these remarkable expressions, which could only tend to 
widen the breach. " Your unkind brother is looking daily for the 
death of the poor woman,:): that he may both raise his fortune and , 
supplant your hopes ; but women may halt up and down the house, 
and sit longer by the fireside in a chair, than expectation admits of, 
before they be ready for a winding sheet." And he adds, alluding to 
Sir William, " a barke as rotten as the body that sails in it cannot 
brook the opposition of the winds." — WimvoocPs Memorials, vol. ii. 
p. 94. 

Some further dispute had arisen between the brothers about money 
matters, which led to the law proceedings after Sir William's death, 
so frequently alluded to by Nathaniel Bacon, who thought very ill of 
Sir Charles Cornwallis. 

t Margaret, daughter of Eustace Darcy, Esq. of Bury St. Edmunds, 
the second wife of Nicholas Bacon, of Gillingham, Norfolk. She died 
in 1639; he in 1641. 



X Lucy Neville, Sir William Cornwallis's first wife, who lived till 
May 1608, giving her husband just time to remarry, and leave a son 
and heir at his death in 1611. 



98 

casion from the estate of the Pallatines, they offered 
ther seruise to the K. agaynst the K. of Spayne, 
who moste graciously receiued them, & acknowe- 
ledged vnto them the affront done by the K. of 
Spayne, but differed any conclusion vntill the re- 
tourne of M r Porter; in the meane tyme assured 
them of the continuation of a moste firme league 
duringe his lyfe, & hath honored many w th knight- 
wod, & some other of the cheifest ar to receiue yt 
by pattent for them & ther posterity. I haue sent 
you her inclosed a bill of exchange, by w ch you 
may receiue o e mony due from my father. Thus, 
w th my best wishes for good success in yo e trouble- 
some business, & my prayers for the recouery & 
continuance of yo e health, I leaue you. I pray, 
retourne my best servise to my cosin Glouer* & his 
wife & the rest of my friends, & rest alwaies yo er 

Nath. Bacon. 

[1624.] 

To his moste noble friend the Lady Cornewalleys, at London. 
(Endorsed.) From M r Bacon to mee. 



LXIV. 



the same to the same. 
Sweet Hart, 

I receiued yo e letter, wherby I vnderstand of 
the slow proceeding of o e business; &, for myne 

* Anne, daughter of Thomas Meautys, married William Glover, 
second son of Sir William Glover. See the Meautys Pedigree. 



99 

owne part her, I cannot be so well pleased but 
I much desier dayly to be w th you, wherfore I 
desier you to send me word by the next whether 
my cominge may be inconuenient or not, & how 
longe you meane to stay. For my cominge, I 
cannot wright any thinge certayne ; for my horses 
ar infected w th other sick horses, & so extreame- 
ly sick that I know not whether they will liue 
or not. For my health, I cannot wright as I did 
last; for this last week I suffered more payne in 
my teeth then euer, & this night I slept not one 
hower, & am now goinge to the mountebanck at 
Bury to draw them out. For y e childeren, they ar 
in very good health. Nick sends you word of a 
brood of young chickens, & of a disaster he escaped 
at my beinge w th him ; for he eate so much milk 
porrage at supper that he cryed out, (O Lord !) 
I think I haue almost broake myne guutt ; & I was 
fayne to walk him a turne or ij about the chamber 
to digest yt. 

Newes I cann wright none; wherfore I desier 
you onely to entertayne my earnest desiers to en- 
ioy you e company, then w ch nothing can be more 
pleasing to him who is & shall be allwaies onely 

You", Nath. Bacon. 

[1624.] 

To his moste noble friend the Lady Jane Cornewalleys, at Harmge- 
ton Howse, geue these. 



f2 



100 



LXV. 

COUNTESS OF BEDFORD TO JANE LADY CORN- 
WALLIS. 

Dear Madam, 

I sent to Wight Halle presently after you went 
from hence on Friday, but my La. of Lenox* was 
not retorned from Litleton, so as I could not gett 
her second letter to the Keeper, but I, hope I 
shall hear her first had the effect you desired. 
If more you wold have done by her on Tuesday, 
when the K. is gone from Grenwidge, I will find 
her out and bring you what you desier of her. 
Therfore lett me know how your busnes hath 
gonne, and what furder servis may be donne you 
by your La? s loveing freind, L. Bedford. 

This is like to proove as busy a weeke with 
me, as, if I see you not hear, I doubt I shall not 
at that ende of the towne. 

Harington House, this 23d of June [1624]. 
To my worthy freind the Lady Cornewallis. 



LXVI. 

nathaniel bacon to jane lady cornwallis. 
Sweet Hart, 

For the business, although the success hath 
not yett sattisfied my desiers, yet it hath so far 

* Probably Catherine, daughter of Gervase, Lord Clifton, wife of 
Esme Stuart, Duke of Lenox, who had recently succeeded to his bro- 
ther's Scottish honors. 



101 

equalled my expectation that I cannot but be 
fully perswaded of your moste great care & dili- 
gence, wherby it hath attayned this present estate. 
For your retourne, myne owne disposition teacheth 
me to be best pleased with your best satisfaction ; 
yet, in these my desiers, the end of your last let- 
ter maketh me to crave a favorable construction. 
Little newes I can wright ; only the marriage of my 
neece Gawdy,* & the death of Pearse & Franck 
Woodhowse. 

My self with the children ar in perfect health, 
God be than eked ; the which I shall dayly wish & 
pray to you & Fred, with my best endevors to be 
so much my self, that I may fully perswade you 
that my greatest happiness shall alwaies consist in 
being Your Nath. Bacon. 

[1624.] 

To his noble friend Lady Comewallis. 



LXVII. 

the same to the same. 

Sweet Hart, 

In some haste & fewe words I do retourne you 
many thanckes for yo e letter receiued by M r Bay- 
life,f together w th the newes, but especially for the 

* Vide page 95. She married Mr. Stanhope, whose name appears 
with his wife as visitors at Brome, in the Household Book, soon after, 
f Probably the Bailiff of Eye. 



102 

abundance of yo e loue therin proffessed ; w ch I de- 

sier you to beleue is so wellcome vnto me that the 

meditation therof must be vnto me my eheifest 

comfort in this yo e absence, & that my best ende- 

uors shall allwaies ayme at some meanes to my pore 

power both to requite & deserue yt. O childeren 

w th my self ar in health (God be thancked), w th 

the rest of yo e friends. I wish you good success 

w th yo e business, & in the meane tyme content 

both w th the place & proceedinges. Excuse my 

shortness, beinge comanded by the day & tyme ; & 

entertayne the best prayers of him who is alwaies 

Yo es , 

Nath. Bacon. 

Thrandeston, May 19 [1624], 

M r Parr, M rs Parr, & M r Greenhill remember 
ther best seruise. My seruise to all my friends, & 
bid Jhon Fenn to send my coullers * so soone as 
possible. 

To his moste worthy friend the Lady Cornewalleys, at the Lady 
Cooke's howse by Charinge Cross, geue these, London. 



LXVIII. 

the same to the same. 
Sweet Harte, 

I am very sorry that you haue suffered so much 
in yo e health since yo e comminge to London ; w ch 

* Sir N. Bacon was an amateur painter of some merit. 



103 

beinge joyned w th yo e troublesome business cannot, 
I am certayne, but make tbis journy uery tedious 
vnto you. For S r Charles Cornwalleys, I am glad 
that the justness of o e case hathe appeared, and 
should be glad to understand of some remedy; 
although from him yt is hardly to be exspected, he 
remayninge moste constant (as yt seemeth) in his 
fraudulent courses. O children wer well in health 
uppon Moonday last, when I saw them. Nic 
hath been troubled with illness, but perfectly re- 
couered, thankes be to God. I was desirous to 
haue seen you for a day at London, the journy be- 
ing not much from Cambridge, wher I now am ; 
but the extremity of the weather hath so dis- 
fauoured me that I cannot neyther with conue- 
niency nor security, attempt yt, being altogether 
unprouided for these uery fowle waies : wherfore I 
desire you to excuse me, and to entertayne these 
few lynes, by w ch moste affectionately I do corn- 
end my best prayers and wishes for yo e perfect 
health, content, and safe retourne, wherin I shall 
more joy than in any other earthly blessinge, and 
w th my best power endeauour onely 

Yo e 

Nath. Bacon. 

From Cambridge, wher I haue bin by M r Greenhill moste well 
entertayned. June 3 [1624], 

To his moste noble friend the Lady Cornwalley's at the Lady 
Cooke's howse by Charinge Cross, geue these. 



104 



LXIX. 

the same to the same. 

Sweet Hart, 

I receiued yo e letter by Murdock, by w ch I 
vnderstand the troublesome proceedinge of o e busi- 
ness, for w ch I am sorry, but especially for the 
tediousness that you ar affected w th by reason of 
the trouble in yt & yo e longe stay by yt ; & al- 
though I am euery hower in expectation of yo e 
presence, yet I could not but venter the arrivall of 
these lynes before yo e departure, by w ch you may 
vnderstand of the perfect health of myself & o e 
children & the rest of yo e friends her, & the sweet 
estate of yo e howse & gardin, w ch to the best en- 
deuors of my self & yo e seruants hath bin pre- 
pared to geue you a pleasinge welcom, together w th 
14 yonge fesants, w ch peepinge do much desier 
ther M rs presence. Thus all of vs rests in the 
hopes of yo e sodayne retourne, w ch by how much 
the more desired by so much the more yo e wel- 
come shall be endeuored, but especially by him 
the perfection of whose happynes resteth in yo e 
loue & the deseruing yt, and in beinge 
Oneley yo ,s , 

Nath. Bacon. 

Broome, June 5 [10'24]. 

To his noble friend the Lady Cornewalleys, at the Lady Cooke's 
howse by Charing Cross, geue these. 



105 
LXX. 

THE SAME TO THE SAME. 

Sweet Hart, 

I haue long expected to heare from you of yo c 
health, but haue not yett receiued any thing since 
my departure. I would be loth to omitt any oc- 
casion, w ch maketh me venture this letter; other- 
wise being almost perswaded of yo e retourne be- 
fore this shall come to yo e hands : so howsoeuer, 
if you receiue yt, you may vnderstand my health 
to be euery way equall w th that before yo e going 
upp, if not better. O childeren also ar all in 
good health : Nick hath well recouered his ague ; 
& M rs Mop is a much fyner girle than euer, & 
more familliar w th me, & I hope before strawberyes 
go out I shall win her hart for euer. I haue no 
more to wright but my many prayers & wishes for 
yo e health & happy retourne, w ch God grant vnto 
you. Thus, w th my best loue & servise to yo e self 
w th the rest of my friends, I leaue, resting onely 

Yo es , Nath. Bacon. 

Redgraue, June 13 [1624]. 

To his best respected friend the La. Cornewalleys, at her lodging 
oueragaynst York Howse, at the signe of the Stirrop, geue these, 
London. 



fo 



106 



LXXI. 

the same to the same. 

Sweet Hart, 

The tyme of expectinge yo e retourne, beinge 
hastened by myne owne desiers, doth now ap- 
proach : yett, not vnderstandinge how yo e expecta- 
tion for the proceedinge in yo e business hath bin 
favored, I must reste still doubtfull of yo e pre- 
sence her vntill I shall heare fardher from you. 
This gentleman hath brought me a letter from S r 
Thomas Meautys, the contents wherof if you do 
not already vnderstand, I must conceale vntill o e 
next meetinge; yt beinge nothinge necessary to 
comend them to you in wrighting at this tyme, I 
hauinge also desired this messenger to excuse 
myne answer vntill Payne's retourne in to the 
Low Countryes. Newes we haue none, onely the 
sodeyne retourne of my brothers out of the Low 
Countryes before they cam ther, ther voiage not 
exceeding Yarmouth. My perfect health, w th o e 
children's, you may receiue by these, w th my dayly 
prayers for yo es , & my moste earnest desiers that 
you may entertayne the necessity of this distance 
of place w th the vertu of beinge content; & that 
you will be merry, & remember me once a day in 
a cup of clarrett, the pledg of w ch I shall in con- 
ceipt retourne vnto you w th many thanckes. Co- 
mend my loue & servise to my friends, & be 



107 

assured that I shall not be more happy in any 

thing than in the manifestation of the moste secrett 

sincerity of my hart, whereby I cannot appeare 

other to you then yo e onely 

Nath. Bacon. 

Culford, this present Fryday [1624]. 

To his moste worthy friend the Lady Comewalleys, at the Lady 
Cooke's howse by Charing Cross, geue these. 



LXXII. 

the same to the same. 

Sweet Hart, 

W TH my many desiers to salute you by all occa- 
sions offered, I do coinend these lines w th my pre- 
sent health, w ch at this my beinge in London hath 
bin moste constant, thancks be to God. I haue 
bin w th yo e kynsman, M r Thorn Meautys, and he 
tould me that S r Thomas Meautys determined to 
be in England 10 dayes after the wrightinge of his 
letter, w ch he receiued by Payne, since w ch tyme he 
hath not heard of him. I spake also w th him con- 
cerning the Sherifes, and he tould me that the 
last yeare the Kinge himself disliked much the 
pricckinge of those whose names wer not geuen in 
vnto'him, & that he would warrant me free, vnless 
my name wer geuen in to him by the L. Keepere, 
w ch I cannot yett know; howsoeuer, I perceiue 
great meanes made of all hands, & I shall en- 
deuor the best I can for myself. For newes her is 



108 

very little, but some hopes that the stronge report 
of the kinge and princes death of Polonia may 
proue vntrue, for her hath lately arriued a ship 
out of these contries, w ch relateth no such thinge ; 
& besides, the Spanish embassador hath no such 
intelligence. The report is also of an embassador 
out of Spayne for the Low Countryes, to treat of 
peace ; for whose entertaynement ther is ther great 
preparation. A confirmation also of the sea fight 
betwixt the Frenche Kinge & the Rocchellers, 6 
of the Kinge' s shipps being sunck, & iij taken ; & 
also of the other newes I last wrote, of another 
nauiie of shipps is also preparinge, the intent vn- 
certayne, some say for Spayne, the match pro- 
ceeding according to the comon report. For my 
retourne, yt resteth onely vpon this business of the 
Sherifes, otherwise yt should be imediate, beinge so 
fully satisfied w th this place, that I do assure you 
yt is rather tedious to me than plesant. The 
lady of Bedford is not yet come to the towne, nor is 
expected vntill Wedensday next. No other things 
I can comend vnto you, but the best loue of him 
who must alwaies be entirely 

Yo e , Nath. Bacon. 

From the Raynebow, in bow lane, October 26 [1624]. 

Tell Nan I haue bought her a fine new gowne, 
wherfore I shall expect a great forwardness in her 
book at my retourne. 



109 



LXXIII. 

the same to the same. 

Sweet Hart, 

Not expectinge the retourne of the messenger, 
nor reckoning of the opportunity of the carrier, 
I do comend vnto you these, wherby you may 
vnderstand of the safe arriuall & present health 
of o e childeren : for my self, I am still accompanyed 
w th my constant companions, the tooth ach & head 
ach, of whose society I begin to grow so weary 
that I shall not any longer geue them quiet enter- 
taynement, but vnwillingely call in the ayde of 
the phisitian. I longingely desier to hear the end 
of yo e troublesome journy, w th yo e present estate, 
vppon w ch my best wishes haue attended, & w ch I 
do expect to vnderstand very shortly by Cock. 
Newes the contry affordeth small: onely my 
nephew Bass. Gawdy,* I vnderstand, is come ouer 
& hath sould his cullars; I vnderstand also that 
Ensigne Rosseter was slayne at Berghen. My 
sister Waldegrauef remayneth in her former estate, 
whose best loue, w th my sister Drurye's,^ doth 
attend you. Thus, w th my many desiers for yo e 

* Bassingbourne Gawdy, son of his father of both those names, by 
his second wife Dorothy, sister to Nathaniel Bacon. 

t Jemima Bacon, wife of Sir William Waldegrave, Knt. of Small- 
bridge, Kent. She afterwards married Henry Killigrew. 

$ Anne Bacon, widow of Sir Robert Drury, Knt. of Hawsted, 
Suffolk. 



110 

cheerfull patience in yo e troublesom business, & 
ray continuall prayers for yo e health & good suc- 
cess in them, I leaue you to God's protection, rest- 
ing happy in any occasion wherby I may express 

my desiers to be 

Onely yo es , 

Nath. Bacon. 

Culford, Nouembre 20 [1624]. 

I pray remember my loue & seruisse to all my 
friends. 

To his moste noble freind the Lady Jane Cornewalleys, geue these. 



LXXIV. 

SIR T. MEAUTYS TO JANE LADY CORNWALLIS. 

Deere Sister, 

Yo rs by my cosen Meautys beeinge com to my 
hands, I woulde not lett this carryer goe w th out 
theise, w ch must retourne yo u thancks for yo rs , that 
I shall eauer thincke myselfe moste happye yf I 
maye any daye dooe yo u servis to requite the affec- 
tion you beare mee ; and longer then reciperecoly 
I maye answere yo rs I shall not desier to bee hap- 
pye, neather in this worlde nor in the worlde to 
come. I vnderstand that my brother is suddenly 
well recouered and beeyounde expectation, the 
w ch I dooe ingenyously confes that I am glad of; 
and soe, I praye, remember my loue to him, I did 
receue letters from Coventrye, but none from my 



Ill 

mother,* for I am informed that shee is very ill sence 
yo r goinge from London. Shee sent mee a letter, 
w ch I shoulde a sent vnto yo u , but it had gotten a 
myschance by the waye, haueinge bin, as it shoulde 
seame, bin lett fall in the durt, and was holely 
vnfitt to bee sent. I haue informed hir of it, that 
shee maye right againe. Thus, w th the trew 
affection of a lovinge brother, I rest allwayes reddy 
to macke good my oblygatyon till the tyme come 
that I shall bee called awaye to render an account 
of the sencerytye of my hart w ch I own towards 
you beefore Him that is the judger of all men's 
harts; till then I am 

Yo r moste affec 1 brother & servant, 

T. Meautys. 

London, Desember the 23, 1624. 

To my deere sister the Lady Jane Comewallyes, for the present att 
M r Peade's howse in Berry, giue these. 



LXXV. 

COUNTESS OF BEDFORD TO MR. BACON. 

S r . 

I see your freinds had need be moderat in ther 
requests to you, that have so liberal a hand in the 
satisfieinge them ; for my part, I must give you the 
discouragement to say you have gotten nothing by 
your care so plentifully to furnishe me with what I 

* Philippa Cooke, the widow of Hercules Meautys, remarried 

Cotton, and resided at Coventry. She was living in 1630. 



112 

desired, but a bare acknowledgement of my thank- 
fullness ; since my desier to deserve well of you, 
and sence of the obligations I ought you, wear att 
that height before, as they can reseave no increase : 
yett this do we the right to believe, that though 
this must stand at a stay, my endevors shall not 
do so, if ever they may find such employment as 
may witnesse me to be in deed as well as in words, 
Sir, the thankefullest and most assured of your 
freinds, L. Bedford. 

Bedford House, in haste, this 6th of November [1624]. 

When you come next to town we shall be able 
to shew you some good new pieses of painting at 
Harington House. 

To my much esteemed freind M r Bacon, att Broome. 



LXXVI. 

NATHANIEL BACON TO JANE LADY CORNWALLIS. 

Sweet Hart, 

I am very glad to vnderstand of yo e safe though 
troublesome arriuall at London, as allso of the re- 
covering estate of yo e sister * so much contrary to 
yo e expectation, and I pray God continew yt. Since 
yo e departure yt was reported at Bury so confi- 
dently that yt was Sir Thomas Meautys that was 
sick, and not yo e sister, as I had almost belieued 

* The Countess of Sussex. 



113 

yt before I receiued yo e letter reportinge the con- 
trary. O r children ar all well, God be thanked, 
with my self, who haue bin these ij last passed 
dayes verry well and much better than when you 
left me or better than 1 haue bin these 14 dayes. 
I haue vsed garlick agayne w th much benifite. The 
Lady Jermine * hath entertayned yo e bitch w th all 
thanckfullness. I haue cast vpp superficially the 
inuentory of all the stock and mouables of Cul- 
ford w th the legacies to be payed out, the plate 
xcepted, and yt amounteth vnto 1200,40 and odd 
pounds. My brother Coleby hath offered to buy 
the stock of kyne and horses and to hyre so much 
ground as now resteth in myne owne hands, but I 
have differed my resolution. 

Thus leaving you w th my best loue, wishes and 
prayers, I rest, being alwaies 

Onely yo rs , Nath. Bacon. 

Culford, this Sunday [Dec r 1624]. 

My loue and servis I pray to all my friends. 
Sweet Hart, geue order to M r Morse I pray for the 
payment of 20 marks to M r Chitting,f the fee due 
to the Herralds upon my father's death. 

* Katherine, daughter of Sir William Killigrew, of Hanworth, 
Middlesex, wife of Sir Thomas Jermyn, of Rushbrooke, in Suffolk, 
by whom there was issue, amongst other children, Henry Earl of 
St. Albans. 

t Henry Chitting, of the county of Suffolk, Chester Herald. 



114 

LXXVII. 

sir t. meautys to jane lady cornwallis. 

Dear Sister, 

This is only to lett you understand that, since 
I hear that my sister of Sussex is nott quickly to 
part with her greate belly as yett, I doe pourpose, 
God willinge, upon the retourne of this messenjer, 
to goe downe to Coventry, &, before my cominge 
back, to marry with the eldest daughter of Sir 
Richard Burneby. The reasons that endeuceth 
mee to it is bee cause I am assured that a good 
foundation will all ways stand, and by that meanes 
I am in hope to preserve the name in my father's 
lyne, the which I doe much desire, with God's favor- 
able assystance. Her portyon is but 6^1500, which 
is not much ; yett, when I consider the breadinge, 
discretyon, and disposityon of the j en tie woman, 
and havinge likewise made a calculatyon of my 
own means and abyllytyes, I must confess that 
shee is rich in comparrason of my selfe. My 
sister of Sussex hath, with the consent of my 
Lorde, afforded mee i?200 a yeare annujty,* to 
mee and my ayers for eaver, in present, the which I 
will assure to my wyfe for a parte of her joynture, 
and as much more as I can inrich her with. Now, 
if it shall please you to sett to your helpinge hand 

* This annuity, not "being legally secured, gave rise afterwards to 
much bad feeling amongst the parties concerned. 



115 

for to sett us up, or to be a means to preserve us 
from fallinge in regarde that our estats will not 
bee grate, you shall binde her as much as my- 
selfe all ways to dooe you servis, and wee will 
acknolidg it with all thankfullness, and valleu you 
as one of our best benefactuers. In regard of my 
long staye out of the Low Countryes, monye is 
grown short with me at this present; if it will 
please you to think upon mee in regarde of my 
occasyon, and use it att this tyme, you shall much 
favour mee. This, with my love to you & all 
yours first. 

Your moste affectionate brother & servant, 

T. Meautys. 

Jan. the 6, 1624-5. 

To my dear sister the Lady Cornewallys, at Brome or els where, 
give these. 



LXXVIII. 

the same to the same. 

Deere Sister, 

The sayme daye I receued yo r last by my foot- 
man I fell extreame ill of a scouringe, w ch hath 
continued upon mee eauer sence, but, I thanck 
God, it beegins somethinge to lessen it selfe of 
it selfe, w ch was the cause yo u haue not herd from 
mee till now; haueinge eauer sence kept my 
lodgeinge by reason of a soreness in my throte, and 



116 

horseness w th all, that did macke mee holely viifitt 
for company ; yett, for all this, I durst not adven- 
tuere to put my selfe in to the docktor's hands, 
but hath lett Nateure worcke his wille w th mee, 
and I hope for the best. Yo r noble & discreete 
proffer & presentation I must moste lovingly and 
affectyonately imbrace ; and w th all, retourning yo a 
the thanckes I dare not saye due to yo r merrytt, 
but all that my merrytt is capable to render you 
for soe worthy a respect of yo ls to mee, for conclu* 
syon, my wyfe that shall bee shall remayne yo r ser- 
vant and joythfull pentyoner; for I haue consty- 
tuted the benevolence yo u haue bestowed upon 
mee to hir present pertyceuler vseses and pryvate 
mayntenance, for the w ch shee shall in pertyceuler 
hereafter retourne yo u hir thanckes, w th as much 
loue to you from hir parte, beinge hir sister, as 
shee can beare to my selfe, whome shee exspects 
to haue to bee hir husband, or else shee cannot loue 
mee soe much as shee professeth. And though 
all bee but thanckes w ch can com from mee to you, 
yett lett mee macke that apeere as much as I can 
in all, w ch is to shew my gratitude to you for 
yo r present asistance allsoe, w ch I haue receued, 
as yo r dyrectyons was. I praye God contynue 
me gratefull to you, w ch yf I shoulde fayle in 
shewen, I shoulde drawe a punyshment upon my 
one hed, beecause I have the contrary in another. 
For newes, S r Joh. Radclyfe is deade, and his 



117 

sonne* hath his company; the Counte Mansfeldes 
bysnis goes not forward as it aught ; the French 
kinge hath refeused him landinge and passage in 
France, soe that hee is now to shypp his troopes 
for Hamborough. God speed them well, and send 
them good succkses att there eand ! As for ther 
beeginninge, it is but vntoward, w th lyttle hope of 
good suckses. I pray remember my loue to my 
brother and to all yo r lyttle ones. Att Clarcken- 
well, I beelieue, they heere nothinge of my cosen 
Glover's goinge towards yo u , whome, I thincke, 
will send you this. Soe, deere sister, I rest, 
Yo r moste affecty te brother & servant, 

T. Meautys. 

This 18* h Jan? 1624-5. 
To yo r worthy selfe. 

LXXIX. 

THE SAME TO THE SAME. 
My DEERE & WORTHY SlSTER, 

Yo r cordiall & lovinge letter I haue receued, 
but w th some hazard, for I knowe not by whoes 
hands it was sent mee. Y r lines are in all things 
licke yo r selfe, confortable & loving. Now, deere 
sister, sence yo u haue bin pleased to send my wyfe 
and mee soe many good wishes, w th a promyse that 
yo u will in yo r meditatyons thincke upon vs, I 
will therefore now tacke the boldness to desier 

* Sir Alexander Radclyffe, mentioned before. 



118 

yo 11 to holde yo r word, for I dooe . receue it as 
an artycule of my beeleafe, & am confident, that 
wee shall prosper much the better for yo r good 
prayers. My wyfe hath a longinge desier for to 
see yo u , but wee knowe not how to compass it, 
my tyme goeing soe fast upon mee to bee gon for 
the Low Countryes, soe that shee is for this sea- 
son allmoste out of hope ; but myselfe will wayght 
upon yo u , God willing, as soone as I can. I 
praye lett my loue bee remembered to my brother 
Bacon, and to all my prittie kindred ; and receue 
these from yo r afFect y brother, that dooth moste 
loue & honor yo u , T. Meautys. 

Coventry, the 17 th of March 1624-5. 

To my much honored deere sister the Lady Cornewallis giue these. 



LXXX. 



countess of bedford to jane lady 

cornwallis. 
Deare Madam, 

I acknowledge that I feele so to the quicke 
this last afliction # God hath pleased to lay upon 
me as no worldly comfort will ever be able to pre- 
vaile against itt, for I have lost the best and wor- 
thiest freind that ever breathed, whom I could 
not love enoffe for what he was to me, nor suifi- 

* There can be no doubt that the person whose loss is here 
lamented was James Marquis of Hamilton, who died just at that time, 
and appears to have been a great friend of the Countess of Bedford. 



119 



ciently admire for what he was in himselfe and 
to all the world; nor can I ever by any sorrow 
satisfie my owne hart that itt is such as I ought 
to have for such a heavie crosse, which yett I 
trust will be a means to fitt me the sooner for 
heaven, because I am sure nothing on earth will 
ever be able to recover much hold on me; not 
that God hath not yett in mercie leaft me freinds 
I love better then ever I did myselfe, but this hath 
made me see that I must have the best freinds 
in the world but to loose them I know not how 
soone, for he that was so sodainly taken from me, 
both for his years, strength, health and temper, was 
like to have lived to much greater adge than any 
I have left, and so I think would, had not his noble 
hart binne too great for thes tymes and his for- 
tunes in them. But he is, I doubt not, now wheare 
nothing of felicity is grudged him, and hath left 
behind him more trewly sorowfull harts of both 
nacions then any man's death now living can make 
againe, and many of us yett know not how to 
indure one another's sight, being deprived of his ; 
for myselfe I must trewly say I am a maimed 
body and worse, and so is my Lo. Chamberlain, 
the last person left of power that I can relie on 
for the worth of his affection and friendship to 
me ; and, to speake freely to you, the only honest 
harted man imployed that I know now left to God 
and his countrie, in which I believe you will hear 



120 



of a great change before this letter comme to your 
hands ; for I heard this morning from Tibauls that 
the King was this morning in so weake estate, as 
there was no hope of his lyfe, though till his 3 last 
fitts there was no [more] doubt of his safety then 
of every man's that hath an ordinarie tercian ague, 
so fatal a yeare is this to great persons as well 
as meaner. The Lo. therfore give us all grace 
not to delay preparing to be ready whensoever 
He shall please to call us, and then the sooner 
He takes us out of this misserable world the more 
cause we shall have to magnifie his compacion. 
Deare Madam, retorn my thankes and aiFectionat 
salutacions to your husband, and believe that, 
though itt will be with a sadder hart, I shall ever 
continue to love you as your kindnes hath from 
tyme to tyme given me cause, which is all so unfor- 
tunat a woman as I am can deserve itt by; but 
of that you shall never want any real proofe can 
be given by 

Yo r most affectionat and thankefull freind, 

L. Bedford. 
I know I need not tell you that I take your 
kinde sending as kindly as is posible, and that 
I thanke you more for itt then I can sett downe. 

More Lodge, this 23 of March 1624-5. 



121 



LXXXL* 

the countess of bedford to jane lady 
cornwallis. 

Deare Cornewallis, 

The good nuse of M r Bacon's amendement was 
exceeding wellcome to me, that have a lively sence 
of all that concerns you, in whos discomforts I 
shall ever have a share, and so have now of glad- 
nes for the good signes of his recoverie, which lett 
not your affection make you so distrustfull of, 
when himselfe, others, and you, too, find a better- 
inge of his health and strength ; for, when nature 
winnes upon the disease, itt is an argument that 
the worst is past, though lingering sicknesses 
are not shaked off att an instant, but commonly 
weare away by degrees as they camme. Ther- 
fore have pacience, and afflict not yourselfe ; while 
God, I hope, intends you your harf s desier, not 
to take from you yett that you hold so deare, who 
have already learnt so well to submit your will to 
His, as so sharpe a precept needes not to teach 
you obedience. But, howsoever the only wise God 
shall please to deale with you, you shall have my 
infirme prayers that He will never leave to speak e 
peace unto your soule, nor to give you joyeful) 

* This letter, written probably in the summer of 1624, should have 
been inserted at page 107, but the date was not ascertained till the 
preceding sheet had passed through the press. 

G 






122 

assurances of His favor, whearof, if it be His will, 
I beseech Him now, as an earnest, to hear what 
you aske for your husband ; to whom I praye you 
comende me very affectionatly, and tell him, as I 
did you, that if itt please him to make trial of 
chandge of ayr, or that remedy which hear grows 
daylie more and more in request through the gene- 
ral good successe itt hath, I desier, exsept you 
will be in London to have him that ministers that, 
the oftener with him, that he will choose More 
Park to be the place he will remoove unto, which 
I hope you both take for one of your homes. But 
if you had rather be in towne under this roofe, 
you may commande all I calle mine, which is not 
farre neither from my cosin Kellway's house, who 
I dare undertake will be carefull to doe you and 
M r Bacon all the servis he can. I give you many 
thankes for the reseit, which with your last I re- 
seaved. For all your kindneses I can but love 
you, which I doe and ever shall hartely while 
ther is breath in 

Your most afTectionat and faithfull freind, 

L. Bedford. 

Harington House, in haste, this Saterday morning [1624]. 

Since your goeing my Lo. of Kensington * is 
comme out of France, who brings word that they 

* Henry Rich, second son of Robert Rich, Earl of Warwick, created 
Baron of Kensington in 1622, and Earl of Holland in 1624. He was 
beheaded in 1648-9, for taking up arms against the Parliament. 






123 

are so desirous of that mache as I believe itt will 
presently be both concluded, and she hear, eare 
long, upon less ill condicions then Spaine insisted 
on for matter of religion. I intend, God willing, 
within ten or twelve days at fardest, to be fixed at 
More Park, from whence I will send to you. My 
Lo. of Kensington retornes instantly againe into 
France. 

To my noble and worthy freind the Lady Cornewallis, att Broome. 



LXXXII. 

SIR THOMAS MEAUTYS TO JANE LADY CORNWALLIS. 
My DEERE & WORTHY SlSTER, 

Soe seldome or neavor dooth the occatyon pre- 
sent it selfe that any trustye messengers travells 
in to the parts where you are, from that quarter 
about Coventrie where I now am, that I must of 
nessessitye imploye one expres to inquyer of y r 
good health, or else it weare impossible allmoste 
to partycypate of the knowledg thereof; but att this 
tyme, haueing soe good an occatyon offered mee 
by yo r worthy selfe in sending soe fayre a toeken 
to my wyfe, I must confes for vs booth that wee 
are joyntly in payne vntill that shee & I haue re- 
tourned ower harty & loving thanckes for yo r kinde 
remembrance of hir; & indeede, my good sister, 
I aknoledg my selfe infynytly beeholding to yo u 
for it, for yo u haue booth grased mee much & 

g2 



124 

lickewyse honored mee by that favour, & I praye 
to God that I maye but liue to deserve & to bee 
thanckfull vnto yo u for yo r loving respect shewed 
vnto vs booth. I haue left yo r sister to hir selfe 
for to bee thanckfull vnto yo u in hir one selfe ; but 
I dout it will not bee in many lynes, hir health 
haveing bin none of the best of late, occationed by 
a disaster gotten by ryding in hir coach, w ch did 
cause a grate pane in hir back, w ch caused hir to 
keepe hir bed for three or foure dayes; & the 
learned saye shee must tacke hir leaue of hir 
coach for one month or too. It trobles hir not a 
lyttle, haueing, upon the recepte of yo r laste to vs 
booth, perswaded w th mee that shee myght come 
vp to London, onely to see yo u & haue the happy- 
nes to bee acquainted w th you; but it weare to 
grate a happyness booth for mee & hir to attayne 
to. I praye, deere sister, let mee eauer be enter- 
tayned in yo r good oppinyon, for I am, and will 
allwayes remayne, 

Yo r moste affect" 1 brother and humble servant, 

T. Meautys. 

I praye lett mee bee kindly remembered vnto 
all my lyttle cosens. 

Coventry, Apryll the 7 th , 1625. 

To my deere & much honored sister the Lady Jane Cornewallys, 
att Brome in Suffolcke, these. 



125 



LXXXIII. 

countess of bedford to jane lady 
cornwallis. 

Dear Cornwalleis, 

I have written as effectually as I could to my 
Lo. Chamberlain, who I think e, if it be in his 
power, will do what you desier. What the King's 
resolucion is yett for his owne and his father's 
servants, he hath not declared farder then the 
whight staves, which are to remaine as they wear; 
but for the greene cloth, and other inferior officers 
both of the household and chamber, itt is thought 
he will imploye his owne and dismisse his father's, 
because he hath caused the latter to be all re- 
moved to Denmarke House to attende the body, 
and lodged the former about himselfe att White- 
halle : and, for aught any body yett can discover, 
he makes his owne determinacions, and is very stiff 
in them ; having already changed the whole face of 
the court very near to the same forme itt had in 
Queene Elizabeth's tyme, suffering nonne but the 
counsell and his bedchamber to come further than 
the privie chamber, whear he continually abides; 
nor the councell to go furder than the privie gal- 
lerie, and causes itt to be strictly kept likewise. 
Into the presence no more are admitted than his 
owne servants and gentlemen of quality. Of his 
bedchamber he hath sworn nonne more than he had 



126 

before but the Duke of Buckingham, whom he 
uses very well ; but, it is hoped, will be governed 
by no man, nor will he admitt any of the rest as is 
thought. After the funerall itt is expected that he 
will make som alteracions among the great officers, 
and, the coinon voice is, change my Lord Chamber- 
lain's staffe into that I shall never but with sorrow 
see in other hand than that that held itt last, and 
bestow his upon his brother. Yett so far he hath 
not yett declared himself; but, if this be, I have 
taken order that, if any power remaine in the 
Chamberlaine for the gentlemen ushers' places, 
whethersoever of them hold that staffe, itt shall be 
alike for your request ; and this I did because I 
think the chamber will not be settled till the prin- 
cipal officer be so. The King is pleased to use 
my Lord Chamberlain that is as graciously as any 
man; which gives many much confidence, seeing 
the King so well inclined to favour honest men, 
which he is known to be, and one that will never 
abuse his trust. Besides, (which, indeed, is the 
chiefe,) he manifests much care of God's servise, 
and never failes, morning and evening, coming to 
prayers to the little closett, nor being an attentive 
hearer att sermons ; so as ther is all good signs 
that God hath set him over this kingdom for a 
blessing. This, I know, you will be glad to hear 
from one you believe would wright no untruth to 
you, and that hath made me (though I am not 



127 

much disposed to wright newse) sett down this 
much. To which I will adde, that our destined 
Queene is with all possible speede expected hear, 
for whos coming the coronacion will be stayed, 
that that, and her mariadge and entrie, may be all 
but one charge : but the first mariadge in France 
will be instantly, the King having sent his procsey 
to the King of France, that either his brother or 
the Duke of Chevreux (which is Prince Joinville 
that was here) may dispach that, so as the next 
month she is expected; all else being fully con- 
cluded, and they in France hastening the espous- 
als. I am very glad to hear M r Bacon hath re- 
covered so good health, whos welcom shall ever 
be such whear I am as I owe to his meritt and 
you; whos labor I do not pittie so much but 
that I wish you would beare him companie to this 
solitarie place, whear I do not desier to see many 
now living, but yourselfe very much. I writt to 
my Lord Chamberlaine to lett John Fenne know 
his answer, because he came not back hither ; and, 
had I binne sure when I should have seene him, 
I would rather have spoken than writt, though 
I know in effect it will be all one, for he knows 
by my lines as well as he could have done by 
speach that I as earnestly affect the successe of 
my recomendacion as I can doe any thing in his 
power to doe ; and I was so loth M r Glover should 
have any thing to impute to my least delay, as I 



128 

writt so late the last night to my Lord Chamber- 
lain, and dispached John Fenne, as I could not 
send this from hence with him, who went earlier 
than I was awake this morning, but make haste 
itt may overtake him att London. The lying 
Papists cannot be content to want my Lord 
Stuartt* in the beadrole of those they wold have 
thought for their glorie ; but whosoever knew him 
living, I hope, will reseave no such false opinion 
now he is dead, who, eaven after he was speech- 
less, gave evident demonstracion (being asked by 
his chaplain) that he believed to be saved by the 
meritts of Christ : yett, by the follie or villeinie of 
a ficisian wayted on him (who was Popish), have 
they got some colour to invent this slander, which 
I trust will be cleared to all the world, as it is 
clear in itselfe to those friends from whom he had 
not a reserved thought, and that knew how far 
both in sound judgment as well as practise he 
w r as from approving any point of their doctrine 
disagreeing with the creed we profess.f I pray 
God they knew him not so well to be the boldest 
opposer of their ends as they used means for the 
shortening of his noble dayes, which that they 

* The Marquis of Hamilton, who was Steward of the Household 
at the time of his decease. See Letter LXXX. 

+ The King, before his death, they say, left a confession of his 
faith, to stop the mouths of the Papists, that had given out that the 
Marquis of Hamilton had died a Roman Catholick. — Ellis's Original 
Letters, second series, vol. iii. p. 244. 



129 

wear unnaturally cutte off ther are strong suspi- 
cions in the most; because being att first, by the 
testimonie of all the surgeons phisicians and his 
owne servants, as fayer a corse as ever their eyes 
beheld, in the space of three owres his hoole 
body, head, and every part swelled so strangely 
and gangrened so generally as it astonished them 
all; though the phisicians affirme to have seene 
the like in pestilential fevers, when the spots 
break not out afore death, and impute part of the 
cause to the expedient of chafing his body, att 
least for the space of an hour before he departed, 
with hotte cloths, and keeping itt to close in the 
bed after. God only knows the truth, who, if he 
had any wrong, I trust will in his justice declare 
it. It is true that, when he was opened in his 
stomack and head, there appeared nothing to con- 
firm this jealosie, which makes the phisicians con- 
fident it could be no poison they are in these parts 
acquainted with; yett both myselfe and many 
other of his friends rest not clear of doubt, though, 
but upon some farder evidence, it is not to be 
stirred in ; but if ever the least light can be gotten, 
the feare of all mortal men should not hinder our 
just prosecucion of so abominable a fact: which 
yett, if it wear so, hastened our losse but a little ; 
for all his vital parts wear so decayed, as, by the 
judgment of the doctors, he could hardly have lived 
out a year, which nobody that looked on him could 



130 

have suspected ; yett he himselfe told me this last 
winter that he found such an inward decaye in him- 
selfe as he knew he should live but awhile ; but, 
God knows, I conceived it to be but a melancholy 
aprehension, seeing his health better to my think- 
ing than it had beene a year or two before, for his 
spleene seemed to trouble him lesse. But now I 
have many reasons to assure myself he expected 
not to live out this year, though he was sparingest 
to utter that to those he knew loved him best for 
grieving them; yett now I call to mind many 
speeches of his I heeded not when they wear 
spoken, might have made me take more hold what 
his opinion was of his short continuance on earth, 
where he hath not left such another ; nor . any 
creature so great a loser as I in the death of a 
friend, whom, if it had pleased God to have longer 
spared us, would at this tyme both to the publick 
and his private friends have binne that wee must 
not look to see any other. But" God saw us not 
worthy of such a blessing, whos will, as itt is ever 
best, whatsoever itt apear to oure sense, so must 
wee submitt ourselves to itt in all things, though 
it is the hardliest practised lesson of all we learne 
in religion. My thoughts are, and ever will be, 
full of his memorie, which makes me tedious when 
any thing draws me into discourse of him; yett 
will I not excuse this temper, because it is a duty 
I owe him in this detracting tyme, when those 



131 

that durst not have breathed amis on his leaste 
action while he lived will now ventur as much 
as in them lies to slubber his fame, when they 
shall thinke themselves out of the hearing of 
those would make them keepe in their venom, or 
make them smart for uttering it at the least. 
And now I have donne this, it is tyme I ende, 
whos love and respect to you shall be endless, in 
which, to my sorrow, you cannot have so much 
advantage as I have satisfaction to know myselfe 
for your most affectionate and faithful, though 
most unfortunate friend, L. Bedforde. 

P. S. Dear Madam, comende me affectionately 
to M r Bacon, whom if you will bring hither this 
springe, I hope you would both find good by our 
ayr, which hitherto hath held free from infection ; 
and should be glad to see any of yours, too, with 
you. 

More Lodge, this 12 th of April [1625]. 



LXXX1V. 

dorothe randolph * to jane lady cornwallis. 

My most honored Lady, 

I can let noe mesenger pass without the remem- 
brance of my loue and seruis to you. This toune 
afords noe newes, onely this, which I thinke you 

* See the notices at the end of the Preface./ /XX. / XXX^ 



v~ 



\S 



132 

will be sory for, that M rs Anne* and M rs Ueare 
Cooks f are become soe much the prouder sins 
thay weare aires; for thar brother J is uery latly 
deade of a burning feauor, and the land fales be- 
twene them. My ould Lady Cook§ presents her 
seruis to you, and is a sade woman for the ruine of 
her howes. My Lady Nethersole || is not yet gone, 
but goes shortly. Thus, with the remembrans of 
my neuer enough aknowledged loue and seruis to 
you, I rest your most faithfull frend and humble 
seruant, Dorothe Randolph. 

[1625.] 

Hi fiuwh ifatc Zj) I J ~b 7 • 

Sir Anthony Cook, Knt. Preceptor = Ann, daughter of Sir William 
to Edward VI. ob. June 1576. I Fitzwilliam, Knt., of Gaynes 
' iSI-JfZ* I Park, Essex. 

Richard, of Gidea Hall, Esq. ob.— Ann, daughter of John Caunton. 
3rd Oct. 1579. 



I I 

Sir Anthony,— A vice, d. of Sir Philippe, = Hercules Meautys, 1st 



Knt., son and 
heir, oh, 
1604. 



William Wal- ob. 1631. husband: 

degrave, Knt. of Cotton, 2nd hus- 

Smallbridge. band. 



Sir Edward, son_§ Martha, dau. of Sir William Daniel, Knt., Justice 
and heir, Knt. I of the Common Pleas. 



Charles, * Ann._ Sir Edward—f Vere._ Sir Charles Gawdy, 



son & heir, 
ob. 1625. 



Sydenham, Knt. of Crowe Hall. 

Knt. 



5 sons and 5 dau. 



|| Lucy, eldest daughter of Sir Henry Goodyere of Polesworth, 
Warwickshire, married Sir Franci s Nethersole, Knt. who had been 
Public Orator at Cambridge, ana! became secretary to the Queen of 
Bohemia. He died in 1652. — Nichols's Progresses of King James. X 



LXXXV. 

sir thomas meautys to jane lady 

cornwallis. 
Deare Sister, 

I am very sorry in deed to understand by your 

servant that you are not in good health, & the 

more bee cause I heare that it is an ague that tra- 

vills you att this present: it is the desease that 

dooes att this tyme moste predomynate, for wee 

heare, the Lorde bee praysed for it ! that the 

plague is lessenned att the leste 3000 a week of 

the proportyon of what it hath bin. Your servant 

founde mee att Colchester this daye, beeing Son- 

daye, where I have bin eaver sence Frydaye night 

past. I am in ployed to survaye these marry tan- 

yan parts, for to rayse sutch workes or take sutch 

order as I shall thincke fyttest for the presurva- 

tjon of the towne & haven of Colchester. I have 

with mee 500 foote & a troope of hors, beesids 

200 foote which I founde in the towne beefore my 

aryvall. The daye after I came theather beeing 

Satterdaye, I spent it sollely inspecting the harbore 

& the towne: the sayme night I received letters 

from my Lord of Warrick * to hasten my retourne 

to the army with all expedytyon, for that, hee 

rights, since my coming from that, the enymye is 

drawne downe with more forses to Donkerick, & 

* Robert Rich, second Earl of Warwick, ob. 1658. 



134 

that all there fleet is drawne out of their harbore, & 
lyes underneath the castle of the towne, reddy to 
seet sayle; upon which newes I have sent a cur- 
ryer this daye back to my Lord, to advertis him of 
the present estate of the place, & to lett him know 
that one Tusedaye morning by bracke of the daye, 
God willing, I pourpose to bee att the army. The 
troops are not lyckely to seaver this good whyle 
yett. You maye bee assured to heere from mee, 
as occasion shall offer it selfe to me, contjneually : 
but I dooe want the assistance of servants exced- 
ingly; my Lord of Warrick was fayne to lend 
mee his page to attend mee this jorny. I have re- 
ceived the fortje pounde from your servant which 
I wrjt unto you for ; for the which I am much your 
servant, & I must desier you to paye your selfe 
againe with your one money. My pore wyfe I am 
shewer is much distresed for that shee hath not 
hard from mee neaver sence my coming from hir ; 
neather dooe I knowe how to send unto hir, 
pore creature ! to comforte hir. I praye, remember 
my love to my brother Bacon & to all your lyttle 
ones ; &, I praye, entertayne the treu love of 
Your eaver affec' brother & servant, 

T. Meautys. 

Colchester, Sept. the 18 th , 1625. 

To my deare sister the Lady Cornewallis, att her howse att 
Browme, these, Suffolk. 



135 



LXXXVI. 

frederic cornwallis to his mother, jane 

lady cornwallis. 
Maddam, 

To give your LaPP a testimonie that as I grow 
older in yeares, soe I doe the like in filiole affection 
and dutie towards you, I thought it became mee 
not to discontinue my accustomed pledge therof 
in an humble and ioyfull congratulation of your 
LaPP' s arrivall (by God's good providence) in health 
and happines unto the end of this ould yeaur, w th 
a noe lesse happy and propiceious entrance into the 
new. And because to honor father and mother is 
the first commandem nt with promise, as alsoe for 
that I may not forget that your Ladiship hath beein 
to mee insteade of both even from my cradle 
hitherto, it is of noe small consequence to the 
length and happines of my owne life to pay this 
duty, both yearly and dayly, of offering up my 
prayers to Almighty God for the continuance and 
preservation of yours ; and doe therfore heare pray 
from the bottome of my heart that this new yeare 
may be as noe yeare to your age, and as a yeare 
of many harvests to your content and comfort. 
I presume likewise (so priviledged by the usuall 
ceremony of this time) to p'sent your LaPP w* a 
petty newyear's-gift hearinclosed, as unworthy (I 
confess) your La?P ,s wearing or owning as is hee 



136 

that pursents it; but the approach and admission 
to your LaPP ,s presence and benigne acceptance 
may give worth to both. Soe humbly asking your 
blessing, I am, with the trouth of my heart, 
Your LaPP' s not lesse dutifull than obliged 
humble sonne, F. Cornwalleis. 

[Jany 1625-6.] 



LXXXVII. 

NATHANIEL BACON TO JANE LADY CORNWALLIS. 

Sweet Hart, 

For the business w ch called me from you so 
suddaynely, I may truely say, I cam vpp w th a full 
resolution to auoyd yt; but my Lo. Marshall was 
unsatisfiable, assuring me of honor to descend to 
you from thence, & not the contrary, & prefer- 
ring this order * farr beyond the barronetts, as 
being the most antient of this land. Vppon his 
comands, w th the perswasion of my other friends, 
I haue embarqued my self in yt, God send me 
good shipping ! yt being already a greater trouble 
to me then fitts w th my disposition; but I must 
now go thorough, w ch perforemed, I shall not be 
long absent from you. In the meane tyme, I de- 
sier yo e assurance of my true affection, who am 
Onely yo es , Nath. Bacon. 

* The order of the Bath ; there being a creation of knights im- 
pending, in honour of the coronation. 



137 

Newes little. My Lo. of Essex's business com- 
pounded. The French King geueth no satisfac- 
tion to o e embassadors, nor will retourne o e shipps. 
Great grumbling on both sides. The Queen will 
not be crowned w th o e cerimonies, wherfore her 
coronation is putt off. Cecill * generally taxed. 

[January 1625-6.] 

To his best respected friend the La. Cornewalleys, at Broome, geue 
these. 



LXXXVIII. 

SIR NATHANIEL BACON TO JANE LADY BACON, f 

Sweet Hart, 

I haue, I belieue, much decerned yo e expecta- 
tion concerning my retourne, but I haue had a just 
excuse, the extremity of the weather & myne 
owne indisposition of body; notw th standing w ch , I 
should haue ventured my retourne as this day, had 
not the King strayghtly comanded all of o e order, 
both new & ould, to attend this day at Westmin- 
ster, furnished w th horse & footmen after the best 

* Sir Edward Cecil, third son of Thomas, Earl of Exeter, trained 
up as a soldier in the Netherlands, and after long and distinguished 
services created in October 1625 Baron Cecil and Viscount Wimble- 
don, and appointed to command the unsuccessful expedition to Cadiz. 
He was thrice married, but died in 1638, s. p. s. 

t Lady Cornwallis had just assumed the name of her second hus- 
band, in consequence of the King's order, that the Knights of the 
Bath, and their ladies, were to take precedence of all Knights Bache- 
lors and their wives. — Anstis's Order of five, Bath, p. 79. 



138 

manner, from whence we ar to ride by torch light 
to the Lo. Maior's to a great feast ther specially 
prepared for vs. Some other attendance also is 
reported to be geuen the K. the next day by vs, 
but yt is not yett certayne. Newes her is little ; 
nothing done in parliament. The peace betwixt 
the French King & Rochell certaynly concluded. 
The Duke de Rohan made prime peer of France. 
Mounseir Subise to receiue a yearly pension of 
100,000 crownes. O shipps retourned from Ro- 
chell. Tomorrow or Weddensday the Queen's 
mask is to be shewen, w ch is in the manner of a 
play, she being a speciall actor in yt. Nothing 
more, but to tell you I neuer had a greater desier 
to be w th you, w ch I desier you to belieue as from 

him who is 

Onely you rs , Nath. Bacon. 

February [1] [1625-6], this Moonday. 

To his best respected friend the Lady Jane Bacon, at Broome, geue 
these. 



LXXXIX. 

thomas meautys * to jane lady bacon. 

My ever best Lady and Cosin, 

Rather then send away this messenger empty, 
I scribble you such newes as I have picked up by 
the highway, and that the coronation houlds, both 
of King and Queene, on Candlemas day, with as 

* Clerk to the Council. 



\ 



139 

little noyse and ceremony as possibly may bee; 
the L ds , as is sayd, being spared the charge of 
roabes, and required onely to wear their coronets. 
My Lo. of Holdernes # is alive againe. The syde 
saddle is a making, and wee talked of nothing last 
night but that and bathing,f which I sweate to 
hear. My Lo. of Essex,! they say, is at court, 
and no speach of any quarrell thear. All this I 
present to you as I reseaved it last night from our 
Knight of the Bath and Nedde Eltenhead, who 
mett us last night at Pukeridge from London; 
but theyr intelligence and relations were soe ill 
putt together as did little edify me, eyther in be- 
lief or knowledge. I take leave to kisse your 
hands, and to have my love and servise cordially 
recoihended to your best beloved ; from whose 
presence and conversacions, more acceptable and 
agreeable to mee then any I can meete with till 
I meete them againe, I am so newly weaned as 
that I have much adoe not to bee froward, and to 

* John Ramsay, a page to James I, having been instrumental in 
rescuing his royal master from the Gowry attempt upon his life, was 
created Viscount Hadington in Scotland, and in 1620 made an Eng- 
lish peer by the titles of Baron Kingston and Earl of Holdernesse. 
He died s. p. s. 

+ Bathing formed one of the ceremonies observed by the Knights 
of the Bath on the eve of their investiture ; it is thus described by 
Camden : " Juxta vas balneatorium linteis opertum, in quo, cum se 
Deo commendaverint, se abluunt, ut deinceps corpore, animocrae 
mundo, esse admoneantur." — Britannia, p. 124. 

X Robert Devereux, third Earl of Essex, afterwards Commander of 
the Parliamentary Forces. 



140 

cry Mam, Dadde, Dub. deare, if any body anger 

mee. # 

Your LaPP ,s , &c. T. M. 

[Feb 1 * 1, 1625-6.] 



xc. 

sir nathaniel bacon to jane lady bacon. 

Sweet Hart, 

I am very glad of yo e health in the con try. I 
do also conclude of the welfare of all ours w th you, 
otherwise, I perswade myself, I should haue vn- 
derstoode yt by you ; &, for little Jane in perticu- 
lar, I should haue bin glad to haue vnderstood 
some of her new language. My Lady of Bedford 
is well & in towne, vnto whome I haue presented 
yo e servise. The Kinge was crowned yesterday 
w th greate pomp at Westminster. For other newes 
her is little ; some do say that the Earle of Hol- 
land hath compounded the business betwixt the 
French King & Rochell, & that o e shipps ar re- 
turning. God grant yt may be true ! Vppon the 
next Sunday earles ar to be created, some say 8. 
The next weeke I intend to see you ; in the meane 
tyme I comend vnto you the most true affection of 

him who is onely 

Yo rs , Nath. Bacon. 

February 3 [1625-6]. 

To his best respected friend the Lady Bacon, at Broome, geue these. 

* Probably expressions used by the children at Brome. 



141 



XCI. 

the same to the same. 

Sweet Hart, 

I have not receiued any letter from you this 
week, w ch maketh me hope that you & yo rs ar 
well, otherwise I presume I should haue vnder- 
stood yt: for my self & the rest of yo e friends 
her, we ar all in health (God be thancked), my 
La. of Bedford excepted, who hath bin excedingly 
ill of the gout, & is little recouvered yett. For 
news, we haue very little, nothing being as yett 
done in parliament. Ther hath bin 8 earles # cre- 
ated, the Lo. Wentworth, Andouer, the Treasurer, 
Mandiuill, and others. Yesterday ther was a 
quarrell at Medlye's ordenary betwixt the Lo. 
Henry Paulettf & S r Will. Sturton;J they went 
secretly in to a chamber & fought. Paulett is 

* The following honours were conferred on the occasion of the 
coronation : — Henry Viscount Mandeville, made Earl of Manchester ; 
Thomas Viscount Andover, Earl of Berkshire ; Thomas Lord Went- 
worth, Earl of Cleveland ; George Lord Carew, Earl of Totnes ; 
Robert Lord Carew of Leppington, Earl of Monmouth ; Edmund Lord 
Sheffield, Earl of Mulgrave ; James Lord Ley, (Lord Treasurer,) Earl 
of Marlborough ; Horace Vere, Lord Vere of Tilbury ; Henry Ley, 
(eldest son of James Earl of Marlborough,) Lord Ley. 

+ Fourth son of William fourth Marquis of Winchester, K. B., and 
the immediate ancestor of the present Marquis. He lived till 1672. 

J He was created K.B. in 1616, and succeeded to the Barony of 
Stourton on the death of his father, Edward, in 1632. 



142 

runn thorough the body, not likely to Hue ; the 
other, hurt in iij places, is apprihended. 1 am 
now almost sattisfied w th London, & do intend this 
next week to retourne; in the meane tyme I 
comend vnto you my best loue, wishes, & prayers 
for all health & happyness, & am 

Onely yo rs , Nath. Bacon. 

February 10 [1625-6]. 

To his best respected friend the La. Jane Bacon, at Broome, geue 
these. 



XCII. 

the same to the same. 
Sweet Hart, 

At my last wrightinge vnto you I thought to 
haue seen you before this tyme, but by reason of 
the extremity of the weather I haue bin enforced 
to stay longer, hauing gotten a great could, com- 
mon to moste her, by reason of w ch I haue bin 
constrayned to keep my chamber these 4 dayes, & 
wher I haue bin honored w th a speciall visite by 
my Lo. Marshall & my Lo. Maltreuers.* I haue 
sent one of my seruants w th these to lett you 
vnderstand the cause of my stay, & I do intend to 
follow my self so soone as I dare, w ch I hope wil 
be about the beginning of Shrouetyde. For newes, 
little is yett done in parliament but snarling on 

* Henry Frederick Howard, eldest son of Thomas Earl of Arundel. 



143 

both sides, & much muttering agaynst the Duke,* 
vnto whome ther happened, in his going to parlia- 
ment, an accedent, by many reputed ominous ; for 
betwixt the court & Westminster his bridle would 
not hould vppon his horse's head, but being twise 
mended, at the last yt fell quite of, w th the plume 
of feathers, to the ground. Ther hath bin some 
distaste betweene the King & Queene by meanes 
of the French embassador, who left the court in a 
pett & departed for France, but was enforced to 
retourne, M r Mountague being sent in his stead. 
The Admirall's shipp of Dunkirke was lately blowne 
vp & quite lost, by meanes of ij Hollanders w ch 
serued in her & now wer desirous to do ther 
contry seruise, both w ch escaped. My La. of 
Bedford is yett verry ill of the goute, & my La. 
of Sussex very ill of a could. I long much to 
be at home w th you, which shal be so soone as 
possible w th my health I may : in the meane tyme 
my dayly prayers to attend you, & I desier to 
be esteemed in all affection onely 

Yo es , Nath. Bacon. 

February 16 [1625-6]. 

To his best respected friend the La. Jane Bacon, at Broome, geue 
these. 

* The Duke of Buckingham. 



144 

XCIII. 

t. meautys to jane lady bacon. 

My ever best Lady and Cosin, 

In my last to your La? last weeke by the Berry 
carrier I did, in a sort, resolve not to write againe 
untill I had been repayd with a lyne or two from 
your hand, for some three or fower letters your La? 
is in arriere to me ; but to show that all occasions 
offered of doing you servise winne ground upon 
me against any resolucyons whatsoever to the con- 
trary, I could not possibly omitt the oportunity 
offered me by this bearer of scribbling to you 
rather nothing than not at all. Our parlamen 1 
falls not as yett upon the mayne of busynes, it 
being but early days with us and many members 
absent. Onely Sir Edward Cooke's election* 
hath bene debated, and is like to be determined 
against him, within ten dayes ; and yf he and the 
rest of his fellow sheriffs be excluded, as it is con- 
ceaved they will, we shall have a tame howse, and 
the King will master bis own ends without much 
adoe. My cosin's health did prophesy of this cold 
weather some few days ago, for his cough beganne 
to trouble him, and makes him wish himselfe at 
Broome. Myne is after the oulde rate, now and 

* The King, when he dissolved the parliament, wishing to exclude 
some of the popular members from the new House of Commons, nomi- 
nated them sheriffs for the counties which they had represented, with 
the view of preventing their re-election. 



145 

then a fitt of short breathinge. God in heaven 
maintaine you in health and all yours ! 

Yo r LaP^' s all ever, T. M. 

Feb'? 16 [1625-6]. 

XCIV. 

the countess of bedford to jane lady bacon. 

Deare Madam, 

I take extreme kindly your sending to visit 
raee, which I should not have delayed an ower 
thanking you for, but that itt is so busy a tyme 
heare, both about what consernes the publicke 
and my owne privat, as I have, against my will, 
binne hindered from dispatching your man accord- 
ing to my desier and purpos ; but the assurance he 
carries of my present health I know will make you 
excuse the length of his staye. My feare of re- 
lapsing makes me content to punish myselfe this 
spring by following a course of phisicke Sir Theo- 
dor Mayerne * hath putt mee into, though I am 
very incredulous that itt can prevent my having 
more fitts of the goute; howsoever, when I am 
trobled with any, they are accompanied with such 
accidents of sicknes as shows they proseed from 
such humors as phisicke uses to correct, against 
which I have too rebellious a spleene I doubt to 
be brought into such obedience as not faster to 

* The celebrated physician, who resided at Chelsea, and died in 

1655. Tkwu/k I ?* difrmt UU . wy>Lyi~u<)U 

H 



146 

power out the souernes therof into my stomache, 
and distill itt into other parts, then all the potica- 
rie's drugs will be able to correct. What I do, 
therfore, is rather because itt shall not be layd to 
my charge that I neglect the meanes of health, 
then out of any great hope of cure by itt, which 
weather I have or no, God, I trust, will give mee 
thankfulnes to Him and patience till His apointed 
tyme of releasing mee from all misserie ; of which 
wee are yett like to have in generall more and 
more, if this Parlement and the King part not 
upon better termes then yett they stand, the King 
having declared himselfe stiffe one way, and they 
growing stronger and stronger in their resolucions 
another. They have had som way given them, 
which is understood by them as a good signe of 
the King's relenting, who may, if he please, have 
of them what none of his predecessors ever had of 
their people, so they may with all have their bar- 
gaine, without which they thinke all their liberal- 
ity would be no better then cast away : what the 
event will be, a fewe dayes more will show. In 
the mean tyme my Lo. Marshall * remains att the 

* In the month of March 1625-6 the Earl of Arundel had incur- 
red the King's displeasure, and been sent to the Tower, on account of 
the marriage of his son, Lord Maltravers, to Lady Elizabeth Stuart, 
daughter of the Duke of Lenox, which was solemnized without the 
consent or knowledge of his Majesty, who had designed her, as his 
ward and kinswoman, for Lord Lorn, afterwards Marquis of Argyll. 
As Parliament was sitting at the time, and no cause was assigned to 
the House of Peers for the committal of one of their members, they 



147 

Tower, though my Lo. Chamberlain is laboring to 
gett his prison changed to his owne house at 
Highgate. I wishe another tyme had binne taken 
for that hasty busynes, in regard of the want of so 
able a man at this tyme in the upper house, whea- 
ther ther is no probability he will be suffered to 
com this secion though he wear enlarged. All 
other kind of nuse for the present lies dead hear, 
exsept itt have some relacion to the Parlement, 
and my ower of persecucion is com; therfore, 
deare Lady, farwell. Lett your love to me, and 
confidence in myne to you, continue alike; for, 
truste me, the one is highly valued, and to lessen 
the other you shall never have just cause given 
you by 

Your most affectionat, faithfull freind and 

servant, L. Bedford. 

Believe mee, your son Fred, hath my prayers 
that he may be so blessed from heaven as that 
your comfort in him may daylie increase. With 
many thankes to S r Nathaniel Bacon, do mee the 
favor to retorne my best salutacions, to whom I 
was extreme sorry I could not, at his being heare, 
do those litle servises I ought to your husband, 

petitioned the King, and remonstrated against such an infringement of 
their privileges ; and complained that five proxies held hy the Earl 
were lost by his imprisonment. Charles, however, seems to have de- 
termined to prevent Lord Arundel from attending in his place, and con- 
trived to delay his release till the 8th of June, just before the session 
was brought to a close. — Abridged from Collins V Peer -age, vol. i. 

h 2 



148 

and my respect of himselfe ; but itt was so late be- 
fore I knew att all of his being in the list of the 
Knights of the Bath, after which I inquired not, 
and so lived in ignorance till his owne coming to 
me, as on that alone I can charge my ill hap. 

S* Jeames's Streete, this last of March [1626]. 

I cannot close my letter without being a begger 
to you to helpe me, if you can, to another good 
and fine tumbler,* being a comodity not to be got- 
ten in thes parts. Thus, you see, I cannot leave 
my custum of robbing you. 

To my noble and deare freind the Lady Bacon, att Broome. 



xcv. 

t. meautys to jane lady bacon. 
My ever best Lady and Cosin, 

I am righte gladde that I have found out at last, 
which I understood by yours receaved last night, 
the way and stile to make my letters acceptable, 
which is, I perceave — for such was that letter you 
seeme to approove — by being short, and making 
profession of my desire and happines to contribute 
any thing towards your health and welfare, which I 
doe as cordially affect now as then, and shall ever 
doe the same while I am, T. Meautys. 

[April 1626.] 

* Bewick describes " the Tumbler " as a dog belonging to the family 
of the Lurchers, whose name only has descended to us. It was for- 
merly used for taking rabbits. This it effected by tzimbling itself 
about in a careless manner till within reach of the prey, and seizing 
it by a sudden spring. — History of Quadrupeds, p. 315. 



149 

Your brother went for the Low Countries yes- 
terday, with hope to retourne some 6 weekes 
hence. His lady remaynes with my Lady Sussex. 
My Lo. S* Alban is dead * and buried. 



XCVI. 

the same to the same. 

My ever best Lady and Cosin, 

I receaved your LaPP' s by the carrier of Berry, 
by whome I send thease; it came to my hands 
some minutes before my going into the country, 
which makes me retourne thease in more scrib- 
bling wise then otherwise I should. And although 
I perceave by yours that you cannot find in your 
heart, or at leaste in your penne, to invite me to 
Broome, though I did in a sorte begge it of you 
in my last; and that the proverbe, which sayeth 
that " He is an ill dogge that's not worth whist- 
ling," makes me conceave that you think little 
lesse of me, that think me not worth the inviting; 

* He died April 9, 1626. Such is the cold and heartless manner 
in which Meautys, who usually wrote in a complimentary strain, an- 
nounces the death of his patron and benefactor, the illustrious Bacon ! 
And yet we may still read the inscription upon the monumental statue, 
erected in the church of St. Michael, at St. Albans, by the secretary, 
to the memory of his departed master, concluding with these words : — 
Tanti Viri 
Memories, 
Thomas Meautys, 
Superstitis Cultor, 
Defuncti Admirator. 



150 

yett, to show you that I cannot find in my heart 
to take any thing in ill part at your hands longer 
then needes must, I will endeavour to obtaine of 
myself and my occasions to waite on you som- 
times this somer, yf I may understand from you by 
your next how you dispose of your owne residence 
this vacacion, for by this day fortnight I shall re- 
tourne for London with my Lord Wentworth,* who 
is then to goe for Fraunce, and will then hope to 
meete with a lyne or two from you hear, that may 
reassure me of your health. And for the rest that 
concernes myself, synce it comes so dryly and cau- 
tiously from you, I shall arme myself with as much 
patience as I may, and as you may expect from 
y r LaP p ' s all and ever to love and serve you, 

T. Meautys. 

Thear came a messenger last night from my 
Lord Veere,f who brings good newes of a blowe 
given the enemy, to the cutting off two thousand 
of theyr men at least, some of them persons and 
comaunders of the best quality, with the loss of 5 
or 6 of the States' side, comon souldiers, only ; ffor 

* Thomas Lord Wentworth, eldest son of the Earl of Cleveland, 
summoned to Parliament, 16 Charles I. as Baron of Nettlested ; he 
served with distinction in the Civil Wars against the rebels, and died 
v. p. March 7, 1664. s. p. m. 

t Horatio Vere, third son of Geoffrey, third son of John fifteenth 
Earl of Oxford, created Baron Vere of Tilbury for his military services, 
July 25, 1625. He died May 2, 1635, leaving five daughters, and 
coheirs. 



151 

the water fought for them, and did the execution 
without blowes. 

Pray let my cosin Randolph understand that his 
father is soe ill that thear is little hope of his 
recovery, and I think it wear considerable for him, 
in relation to his office, to come up and take it 
into his care. 

[April 1626.] 

XCVII. 

THE SAME TO THE SAME. 

My Ex ,nt good Lady and Cosin, 

I wrote to your LaPP last weeke by the Berry 
carrier, and inclosed it in my cosin Frederick's 
letter, but understood that the carrier of Disse 
called afterwards at my house, and, hearing I had 
putt my letters into the hands of the Berry carrier, 
resolved to call for it from him and soe deliver it 
himselfe. How they have agreed on it I know 
not, but would have been willing to understand in 
your next wheather it came to your hande. I 
wrote to my cosin, your husband, and put it into 
M r Chetwin's hands on Monday last. The King 
is not at leasure to thinke of my Lord of Arun- 
dell's reduction from the Tower, but he is, mee 
thinks, as a man forgotten already. Our Parle- 
ment proceedings are froward enough; and those 
businesses we embrace first, and please ourselves 
best in, which have a left eye upon the Duke. 



152 

But we barke hitherto against the moone, which is 
above our reach. We shall, within a day or two, 
bee roundly put to it for a present supply to de- 
fend the kingdome and setting of a new fleete to 
sea; for our daungers threaten us by the great 
preparacyons of our enemy, whearof thear is dayly 
advertisement. My Lord Generall Cecill hath 
not yett been admitted to kisse the King's hands. 
Hee was on Monday last before the counsell 
table, with the rest of the coinanders and officers 
in chief in that ymployment.* Thear was de- 
maunded of him a particular journall and account 
of the counsells and actions since the going out of 
the fleete. Hee broke outt into a confused and 
passionate discourse of his hard condicion, to be 
prejudged and decried in comon voyce, as himself 
said hee was, even as farr as to balletts ; but was 
withall very confident to give theyr Lordships a 
good account of his conducting the whole affayre, 
and doubted not but to come off with honor for 
his particular carriage, though it pleased not God 
to give successe to the enterprize; and soe desired 
a furder day, for that his papers and bookes, 
whearin his proceedings wear exactly registred, 
wear not yett come a shoare. The Plate fleete, 
I perceave, was theyr chiefest design, and they 
steered, it seemes, soe right a course for it as that 
they had 7 of theyr shipps in chase ; but ours being 

* See note to page 137. 



153 

leaky, and marriners weake, and victualls spent, 
could not reach them. Sir Thomas Meautys and 
his lady are in town, at M r Deake's, an upholsterer 
in Fleete Streete. His lady is now daungerously 
ill of a burning feavor. Shee hath been visited 
from Clerkenwell, # and Sir Thomas hath been 
thear ; and wee are all friends, soe long as it will 
last. And soe I greet you, and all yours, with 
the sincerest affection and devocyon to serve you 
& yours, T. M. 

[April 1626.] 

XCVIII. 

the same to the same. 

My very best Lady and Cosin, 

I receaved yours by M r Proud, the minister, 
and purpose to write to you then againe by him. 
In the mean time, I take the freedom to tell you, 
that yf upon the death of M r Cotton,f of whose 
office in our chamber I had a second reversion, I 
proceed, as I am in treaty, to buy him out that is 
in possession, and so to gett it for three lives of my 
own name, when I will reckon upon your LaPP' s 
purse to assist mee with the loane of 600 i?, for 

* The Earl and Countess of Sussex's residence. 

+ Thomas Cotton, of Starston, Norfolk, succeeded in 1613 to the 
office of Clerk of the Writs and Processes in the Star Chamber, on the 
death of his father Bartholomew Cotton, who had held it thirty- three 
years. The son deceased in 1626, when the reversion fell to Thomas 
Meautys. 

H 5 



154 

about that sum I must deposit at first, and 300i? 
more afterwards, which is the full rate I must pay; 
and for security I will eyther make over the 200 i? 
p r ann. of my brother Glover's, the office itself, or 
any other security your counsell shall advise. Yt 
concernes mee to hear by the next carrier, which I 
would gladly wear by him of Berry, on Thursday, 
how farre you are like to pleasure mee hearin; 
and yf you take this to be any over freedome with 
you, onely pardon it, and I will take it for a warn- 
ing till I may have furder merited it at your hands. 

However, I shall rest at yo r LaPP' s devotion 
altogether to serve you, T. Meautys, 

I have one fetter more put upon my legge to 
imprison mee in London, for thear is a new Coun- 
sell of Warre instituted, and I pointed out for one 
to attend it. Yt consists all of privy counsellors, 
unless 3, namely, Wimbledon, Tilberry, and Colo- 
nell Ogle. 

Friday [May 1626]. 

XCIX. 

THE SAME TO THE SAME. 
My SINGULAR GOOD AND NOBLE LADY, 

I cannot acknowledge inough your readines to 
pleasure mee with the sum you write of, nor can- 
not take thought inough to find myself good for 
nothing whearin to pleasure you againe. Onely 
this I have to offer uppe to you, and yett it is noe 



155 

more then you had long since, namely, whatsoever 
I am, or may bee, to bee at your disposing. For 
security, however, you are pleased, in confidence of 
mee and favor to mee, to decline it ; yett I must 
take leave to deale as safely for you as you have 
done lovingly and suerly with mee, and upon the 
receipt of the moneyes am resolved to send you 
sealed a bond from my eldest brother and myself, 
to such person as you shall nominate to have the 
bond made, and this with as little noyse or notice of 
the favor done mee as you shall direct or wish. For 
the moneyes, the sooner they come the welcomer ; 
but, by cause I could not collect from your letter 
whether they mought be with most conveniency 
sent up by som servant of your own, or otherwise 
that I could send a servant of myne to receave 
them theare, I am somwhat at a stand untill I 
may find by your next what course you will pro- 
pound on that behalf. Thus, with a heart as full 
of affection to serve you, as a head full of payne 
and aking, being scarcely out of a sharpe fitt of 
tertian ague, which hath held me all this morning, 
I rest, 

Your LaPP' s in sicknes and health, living and 
dying, all and ever, T. Meautys. 

This Friday, May 19th, from my house in the Strand [1626]. 

The inclosed from Sir Thomas Meautys I send, 
to the end my cosin may extract the newes of those 
parts out of them ; and so retourne me the letters, 
yf you please. 



156 

Yesterday it was debated in the upper house, 
wheather the Duke should be comitted, or at least 
sequestered from the house during the examinacion 
and proceeding against him, Hee carried it by 
voyses, and yett had no use of proxies, whearof hee 
hath, as is sayd, 1 5 in store, which shows his case is 
not desperate. 

C. 

the same to the same. 

My ever dearest Lady and Cosin, 

This messenger going from Toddington* to my 
Lady Smith's in Norfolk, and Culford not being 
much out of his way, gives mee the meanes of 
sending thease, together with such occurrences as 
I meet with hear, sent mee from London. You 
may, if you please, at your best convenience im- 
part them to Sir Drue,f and thearby acquitte mee 
to him in part of some payments of this kind. 
Thus, waiting all occasions and minutes to serve 
you, I aske leave to kisse your deare and precious 

* Toddington, in Bedfordshire, was a large quadrangular mansion, 
built by Sir Henry Cheney, in the reign of Elizabeth, who honoured 
him with a visit in 1563, and in 1572 created him Baron Cheney. 
He died in 1595, leaving the estate to his widow Joan, one of the 
daughters of Thomas first Lord Wentworth, of Nettlested, from whom 
it devolved upon her great nephew, the Earl of Cleveland. The pro- 
perty passing subsequently through the Lovelace family to Thomas 
Earl of Strafford, he demolished the house in 1745. 

t Drury. 



157 

hands, together with all those made out of them, 
whearby you have obliged, 

Y or LaPP' 3 for ever to love and serve you, 

T. Meautys. 

May [1626]. 

The instructions concearning preaching,* though 
some say they are to be printed, yett are not to be 
authorized and published, as was conceaved, by 
proclamacyon, but to bee recoin ended onely by 
letters under his Ma ties signature to the two 
archbishops. 

I am this morning going with my Lord of Cleve- 
land for London ; his Ladyf goes not till the 
Kinge's retourne from Newmarkett. 



CI. 

the same to the same. 

My best Lady and Cosin, 

I receaved both yours by Nutte, the carrier, 
and in answer to the first, which is soe carefull and 
sollicitous of my health, I can but first thanke you 
in as much earnest as you are pleased to expresse 
on my behalf, and then lett you know that I am, 

* About this time the King's proclamation appeared, by which the 
clergy were prohibited from preaching or publishing religious opinions 
contrary to the doctrine of the Church of England. 

f The Earl of Cleveland was twice married, first to Anne, daughter 
of Sir John Crofts, of Saxham, in Suffolk ; and secondly, to Catherine, 
daughter of Sir John Wentworth, Knt. of Gosfield, Essex : this was 
his first wife. 



158 

God be thanked ! much better now then when I 
fell sicke ; this ague having, apparently, evacuated 
much of that humour whearwith my lungs wear 
wont to labour, whearby I am grown friendly with 
it, and think of it, now 'tis past, rather as my phy- 
sician then a disease. I am sorry to find, both by 
your letter and by the messenger, that my cosin's 
health is noe better ; but I comfort myself in that 
observacion he makes of the time, as hoping that I 
shall hear by the next that we are twynnes as well 
in recovering together as in falling sick, other- 
wise he will but bind me over in good manners to 
undergoe a relapse, for I shall take the lesse com- 
fort in my recovery that it hath gotten the start of 
his. As for the moneyes, I will send sometimes 
the next weeke by an immediate messenger from 
hence. Our Parlament was this day adjourned 
till Thursday next. The upper howse is not satis- 
fied with the reasons of the King's detayning my 
Lo. of Arundell from them, and are resolved to 
press it furder. The King withdrawes not his 
countenance or protection one jotte from the 
Duke.* God send us all the light of His counte- 
nance, and then all will end well. 

Yo r LaPP' s all and ever, T. Meautys. 

Strand, this Thursday [June 2, 1626]. 

My sister Glover f desires to be excused for not 
wrighting by this passage, which she confesseth 

* Of Buckingham. f Anne, wife of William Glover. 



159 

she both ought, but that she was called away to 
hould a Lady Butler's* back, one of the last sisters 
of the Bath. 

Sir John Eliott is released, f and restored to the 
howse. 

CII. 

THE SAME TO THE SAME. 
MY EVER BEST AND DEAREST LADY AND COSIN, 

I reseaved yours by my man, Knight, accom- 
panied with that horse load of favor and friendly 
curtesy, which you pleased to mention in your 
former letters; which seasonable piece of friendshipp 
expressed by your La p P towards mee and my occa- 
sions although I can never acknowledge, yett give 
me leave to reckon of it but as treasure in silver 
in comparison of that other in gould, which was 
the hopes you gave mee of kissing your hands 
hear ere long ; whearin however you have somwhat 
fayled, for though, mee thinks, with mee, who num- 
ber dayes and howers till I see you, it is already 
a great while since I drank in those hopes, yett 
will hope on still, and leave you thus farr without 
excuse as to tell you that thear are two houses in 
the Strand at your devotion, my own and Sir 

* The wife of Sir John Butler of Hertfordshire, who had just "been 
made K.B. She was then probably lying in. 

f He had been committed to the Tower by the King, with Sir 
Dudley Digges, for their speeches on the motion for Buckingham's 



160 

Thomas Wilson's, who lyeth and his family at 
Whitehall, though I must confesse I shall wish 
my own house on fier every time I see you passe 
by it to sleepe in any other. Thearfore, as you 
tender my rest and happines, sweete Madam, 
think not, I beseech you, of resting yourselfe under 
any other roofe, and be pleased rather to lett mee 
see you then hear from you againe. And now lett 
me presume to putt a new piece of trouble upon 
you, which is to cause your servant to learne cer- 
taynly the day of M r Cotton's death, and to lett me 
understand it by the next ; for ever since that day 
the profitts of the office belong to mee, and are to 
be accounted to mee by his deputy and clerks, and 
the difference of a few dayes may be in or out of 
my way half a hundred pounds. M r Morse was 
much conversant with him, as I have heard him 
say, and can, peradventure, satisfy this question. 
The Duke hath this day made his answere to our 
charge against him ; an ingenuous and cleare an- 
swere, and very satisfactory, as is conceaved, to all 
indifferent eares. My Lord of Arundell was this 
day restored to the house ; it appeares not as yett 

wheather he be in * or not against the Duke, 

or how he will play his game. We talk much 
of great forces both by sea and land in readines to 
come from Spayne. We have 30 sayle of good 
shippes shortly to putt to sea. Our house quar- 
rells the election of the Duke to be Chancellor of 

* illeg. 



161 

Cambridge, as an affront done to the house ; the 
King hath sent messages to our house to forbear 
questioning it. Tomorrow we are, I understand, 
to debate what is to be done in it. The King 
hath sent the University a letter of thanks for 
electing him ; * and so doe I to you, for continuing 
mee in your good favor and affections, who am 
All your own, T. M. 

[June 8 th 1626.] 



CHI. 

sir edmund bacon to sir nathaniel bacon. 

Brother Nath. 

Yt was tolde me yesterday from Burye, that one 
cause of your goinge up to London ys to cut of the 
intayle of Culforde and the rest of the landes, 
which in much love weare confer'd upon you. 
Whether I have any interest or not therin ys 
utterly unknowne unto me, for in my father's tyme 
I never was made acquainted with any parte of the 
conveyances ; and yf I be in remaynder, my dayes 
are so farre spent, that yt weare too partiall a 
thinge for me to feed myselfe with any expectation : 
but yt ys like yt concernes others, for in what 
belonges to myselfe I finde that he hath had a very 
strict desyre to uphold his famyly in the meanes 
he left, which I signify unto you, that you might 

* Upon the death of Thomas, Earl of Suffolk, the Duke of Buck- 
ingham was chosen Chancellor of Cambridge, by a majority of five 
voices only. 



162 

have a greate care how you proceede in this 
busynes, which importes a good parte of the 
estate. But no more of this matter : it concernes 
me more to have you respecting your health, and 
to entreate you to have a care that you oppresse 
not your body or your mynd with too much agita- 
con, for they are both greate enemyes to weake 
spirites. 

The proroginge of the Parlament hath given me 
lybertye to take a vewe of Rotten Thornage* 
before I goe to London, whether I am setting for- 
warde this morning. And thus I rest, 
Y r very loveing brother, 

E D M. Bacon. 

[June 1626.] 

CIV. 

t. meautys to jane lady bacon. 
My ever best Lady and Cosin, 

I reseaved your La??' 3 by M r Morse, with the 
note inclosed, touching M r Cotton's death. This 
morning M r Morse advertized mee in post hast 
that thear was a messenger going towards Broome ; 
hee tooke mee napping, and, before I was broad 

* The lordship and advowson of Thornage, in Norfolk, granted by- 
Henry VIII. in 1537, to his physician, Sir William Butts, remained in 
the family till Ann, daughter and heir to William Butts, brought them 
in marriage to her husband, Sir N. Bacon ; and their eldest son, the wri- 
ter of this letter, had recently inherited the property. It was aUenated, 
circiter 1710, by the Bacons to Sir Jacob Astley, Bart, of Melton 
Constable, whose descendant, Lord Hastings, is the present possessor. 



163 

awake, for his post's sake I had finished thease. 
Your hospitality to my sister and hers hath un- 
happily deprived mee, I perceave, of dayes, if not 
weekes, of your company hear, who shall count 
every daye a weeke till I see you ; the rather for 
that, after this month ended, my month of attend- 
ance being next, and the King meaning to lye 
most part of that month at Greenwich, I shall 
spend most of my dayes thear, and soe loose more 
of your company, which vexeth mee aforehand to 
think of, and will vex mee more when it happeneth 
then otherwise, yf you had come to town sooner, I 
could have done : onely my comfort will be, that I 
can remember, when I am absent, that you are 
pleased to sleep under my roofe, and that my 
house doth you some service instead of mee. Our 
Parlement is in pieces and quite dissolved. My 
Lo. of Bristow* close prisoner in the Tower. My 
Lo. of Arundell confined to his mother's house, as 
before. No lower house men comitted as yett, 
but some of the most active amongst them comand- 
ed not to depart the town till his Ma ties pleasure 
furder known. The King borrowes a hundred 
thousand pounds of the city, for which he pawnes 
his juells and plate : this chiefly to sett out a 
fleete of 30 sayle, whearunto 20 sayle of Holland- 
ers are ready to joyne. Present my affectionate 

* John Digby, created Earl of Bristol in 1622, confined on a 
charge of high treason. 



164 

love and service, good Madam, to my good cosin ; 
and tell him, yf he comes to town, I will shew him 
melons forwarder then his at Broome, and procure 
him the receipt how to improve his owne, which is 
a journey, I hope, not altogether lost. 

I rest your LaPP' 3 all and ever, T. M. 

This Monday morning, June 19 [1626]. 

Pray be pleased to salute my sister Claxton and 
her husband from mee, yf they be still with you. 
I think it wear no ill wish to wish them at Liver- 
more againe, for that they had wont to take it for 
granted that the mother's death would much mend 
theyr case. 

CV. 

sir n. bacon to jane lady bacon. 
Sweet Hart, 

Uppon Thursday last I left London, thincking 
to haue bin w^ you this day, but, at my taking 
horse, I raysed by coughing a little bload, w ch made 
me come that night but to Burntwood. The next 
day in the morning I found myself disposed to 
bleed agayne, w ch made me venture no farther than 
Esterford, wher, presently after my coming in, the 
vayne opened agayne, wher I raysed some half a 
spoonful]. Now, this day I intend to come no 
farther then Colchester, wher I shall haue Doctor 
Duke's help, if need require. L'ppon Monday, 
God willing, I intend to reach Bury, whither I 
desier you to send me, uppon Tuesday morning 



165 

next, yo e coach, to bring me home w th the more 
ease. All yo e friends in London do salute you. 
The Lady of Bedford is reasonably well. The 
business of the Navie is now in question in Parlia- 
ment, but nothing done. Thus, with my best 
loue I leaue you, desiring to be excused for brief- 
ness, being now in my bed ; from whence I desier 
you not to conclude any danger in me, for my 
bleeding is stopped, & my cough less then yt 
hath bin any tyme these iij. weeks. Bless ours, & 
kiss little Jane from me ; & so I rest, 

In all trew affection only y rs , 

Nath. Bacon 

Esterford, this Satterday morning [June 1626]. 

To his best respected friend the La. Jane Bacon, at Broome, geu 
these. 

CVL 

philippe cotton * to jane lady bacon. 

Deere & worthie Dawghter, 

I do acknowlidg my self much bownd to God, 
that hath given me such a child to be so respective 
of so aged & infirme a mother as I am, to help & 
succor me, not being able, by reason of manie 
greeuances, to stirr from home, w ch hath much 
afflicted me that I cowld not frequent the howse of 
God as formerlie I have donn; w ch now, by God's 
permision, and as w th helth He shall inable me, 
y or good meanes egging me forward, I purpose to 
redeeme. Deere dawghter, if I should stodi so 

* Lady Bacon's mother. 



166 

long tyme as I cowld stodie no longer, I should 
never be able to find good words suffitient to ex- 
press the well deservings of y or liberall bownti 
w ch manie ways y ou have aforded me, this y or 
greate and worthie present, w ch at this tyme y ou 
have sent me, not being the lest ; wheare of I shall 
have dayeli occation to be putt in minde of, lift- 
ing up my hart to God w th dayelie prayers to bless 
y ou , both in heaven & earth, to His glori, for all 
y or comforts aforded me. Good dawghter, lett me 
intreate y ou not to be offended w th y or mann for 
staying so long, for I was the cawse, he being 
dayelie desierous to be gonn ; whose going I still 
hindred, for that I was desierous to lett y ou know 
that my first iorney in it was to church, w ch cowld 
not be effected no sooner. I pray y ou remeber my 
much respected love to my worthie sonn Baconne 
& my good nephew Meautys; my manie kinde 
thancks to him for his venison w ch he sent me. 
So, from my hart praying God to bless y ou & all 
yor Sj j ever remain, y e trewlie affected mother, 

Philippe Cotton. 
I praie y ou , lett me heere of y or coming to Lon- 
don, & as often as y ou cann ; & I hope my nephew 
Meautys will be so good as his word to me, w ch 
was that he wold bring y ou & the rest of all my 
good children hether to me this sommer. Good 
dawghter, I have given y or man fortie shillings, 
both for his charges coming and going, & also in 



167 

gratuitie of the present hee browght me ; had I 
benn better provided w th monie, my rewarde should 
have beenn greator. 

Stoke, October 23 [1626]. 

To my deere & worthie dawghter the Lady Jane Baconne, these. 



CVIL 

the same to the same. 
Right deere & worthie Daughter, 

I do not well know how to find a good word out 
sufficient for so worthie a child, which hath made 
her mother, if anie mother cann be, bownd to her 
child. You have enchained me with such a bound 
to you never to be dissolved, such is the rare 
vertue of your so often benignities extended to- 
wards me, never to be forgotten. By your brother 
Meautys I understand of your safe being att Lon- 
don, with all your sweete children. Hoping now 
I shall the oftener heere from you, I much desire, 
good daughter, to be allowed to make a motion 
unto you, now you are in London, a place of most 
conveniencie for such a purpose. My desire is this, 
you wolde be pleased to aford me your picture; 
not for that it might put in mind of you, for that 
needeth not, I having you alreaddie so imprinted 
on my hart never to be forgotten, but that I maie 
with comfort behoulde the aspecte of so worthie a 
child. This is the end of my desires, which I 
hope you will not denie me. I desire likewise to 



168 

be remembered to my good sonne Bacon, not for- 
getting my nephew Meautys, with all yours, 
whome, with yourselfe, I humblie pray the eternall 
God to bless with all felisities both in heaven and 
earth : and so I ever live your trewlie loving mo- 
ther, Philippe Cotton. 

Coventry, Novemb. 17, 1626. 



CVIII. 

t. meautys to jane lady bacon. 

My ever best Lady and Cosin, 

I receaved yours by Nutte, and am sorry that 
his soddaine departure hath soe turned my hower 
glasse that I have not time to inquire and send 
you worde, so distinctly as otherwise I would, 
of that which I assure myself would be well- 
comest to you in this letter, as it was in my last ; 
namely, the health of your best friend.* Onely 
thus much I can say of it from M rs Dixon, from 
whom I heard it some two dayes sinse, that it 
was in the way of increasing to a perfect recovery. 
I should have been right glad to have heard the 
like of my cosin's health, for which, as for that of 
your LaP and all yours, I shall dayly pray as for 
myne owne, and remayne all and ever 

Yo r LaP' s to love and serve you, 

T. Meautys. 

April 5th, 1627. 
* The Countess of Bedford. M rs Dixon was probably her maid. 



169 

CIX. 

the same to the same. 

My ever best Lady and Cosin, 

The oportunity of this messenger, whoe is to 
be back by Tuesday night at Riddlesworth, and 
promised me to make Culford in his way, invites 
me to gratulate your well coming to the end of 
your first daye's journey, which 1 understood from 
Sir Thomas Meautys, and to hope the like of your 
journey next day, and that you found all well at 
Culford. Next, I take leave to tell you, that I 
understand this night, upon speach with M rs 
Tucker, that my Lady of Bedford wynnes still 
upon her health, and missed her fitt yesterday. 
This I knew would mend the welcome of my let- 
ter, and thearfore supping this night at my aunt* 
Thomson's, and hearing her accidentally speake 
of M rs Tucker, and that she dwelt hard by, I 
tooke advantage of it to inquire of that Lady's 
health. Black Pusse is apprehended and carried 
before Sir Thomas Wilson, and convicted for a 
runaway; but, hir case being baylable, my cosin 

Sir Henry Coningsby, of _ Elizabeth, dau. of Sir John Boteler, Knt. 
North Mims, Knt. of Watton Woodhall, Herts. 



I I 

Elizabeth. = Thomas Meautys. Jane. *__ Robert Thompson, Esq re 

of Crawley, county of 
I Bedford. 

Thomas Meautys, Clerk 
of the Council. 



170 

Randolph and myself have bayled hir, and soe 
you may require her at my cosin Randolph's hands, 
with whom she is a sojourner. Madam, I am so 
newly weaned from the company of my best friend, 
that you may imagine how indisposed and froward 
I mought well be, and that I could find nothing to 
still me but by busying myself in writing, or doing 
something that mought look towards the serving of 
you, then which nothing can be for ever more ac- 
ceptable to, 

Your LaPP' s to dispose as you list, 

T. Meautys. 

Easter night [1627]. 

Pray present my most affectionate love and 
servise to my cosin Bacon. 



CX. 

the same to the same. 

My ever best Lady and Cosin, 

I begged of you, in my last by Nutte the car- 
riere, that I mought partake of the happy tidings 
of your recovery soe soone as it should please God 
to send it you ; but, not having receaved any lyne 
from you sinse, I am not a little perplexed what 
to thinke of your health. I understood onely, by 
a letter from my cosin, that it was a setled tertian 
ague, and that some fitts had been very sharpe* I 
will both hope and pray that I may hear that they 



171 

have done theyr worst then, and that you are in 
way of recoverie ; till when I shall be in a cold fitt 
of feare and expectation touching the event of 
your sicknes. Next, lett me impart to you, and 
aske your pardon, that, without your privity and 
direction, I have presumed to apply the favour 
meant me long synce by the Duke, for making a 
baronett, to the servise, I hope, of my cosin Fre- 
derick. Quarrell me you may, as you use to doe, 
for my forwardnes to affect and serve you and 
yours, for other offence towards you I was never 
guilty of; but for this, it is too late to intreat it, 
yf, peradventure, in disfavour of me, you had a 
mind to it, for it hath already passed the signet 
and privy seale, and will be to morrow by noone 
passed the great seale. That which prevented me 
from acquainting you with it soe seasonably as 
otherwayes I had done, was, that I was surprised 
myselfe in this resolution to make use of the 
Duke's promise in that kinde on my cosin's be- 
halfe, for, hearing that Sir Robert Crane, young 
Wingfield, Drue Drurie's nephew, and some 
others of Suffolk wear laboring for that dignity 
to be conferred upon them, I concluded that no 
time must be lost; which, though it seeme a cir- 
cumstance, yett is substance in these cases, poynt 
of precedency being noe indifferent thing, whearin 
I have handled it that he shall be the first of 
that county of this last edition of baronetts. And 

i2 



-^ 



172 

least any apprehension, which you, by your favour, 
are apt enough to take, should possess you, as yf 
I had hearin rather endeavoured to picke a thank 
of your sonne officiously, then to give you a clear 
argument of my affections to doe him a servise for 
your sake; or least you should be in suspence 
whether any disadvantage should hearby ensue to 
you in poynt of the wardshipp eyther of his body 
or lands ; be pleased to believe that, for the first, 
he neyther knows from me of any the least inten- 
tion of myne to sett this on foote, neyther doe I 
want soe much respect and love to yourself, or soe 
much piety to preserve and endeare a sonne to a 
mother, as to handle it soe that every circum- 
stance of this worke should not appear to be de- 
rived immediately and totally from your love and 
indulgence ; and, for the latter, that I am not soe 
precipitate or indifferent in that which concernes 
you in point of interest as not first to have ad- 
vised, and been clearly resolved and satisfied 
without all scruple and question by those who 
best know it, and particularly by M r Attorney Ge- 
nerall and M r Attorney of the Court of Wards, 
that thear is nothing of prejudice that can hearby 
ensue to you touching his wardship eyther of body 
or lands. By the next I purpose to send you the 
patent under the great seale ; and soe hearwithall 
send you, under the privy seale of my heart, the 



173 

most entire and sincere affections to serve you and 
yours, of yo r LaPP' s all and ever to dispose of, 

T. Meautys. 

May 4 th , 1627. 

My Lo. of Bedford died on Tuesday last : my 
Ladie's recovery is much doubted ; her strength 
and spiritts being, as they say, farre spent, and 
wearing out dayly by an untoward cough, which is 
almost continuall. This I understood from M rs 
Dixon. 

CXI. 

the same to the same. 

My ever best Lady and Cosin, 

Your not vouchafing, eyther by letter or mes- 
sage, to take knowledge of the contents of my last 
to you touching my cosin Fred., reprooves mee 
sufficiently of being in my last an officious foole ; 
and although, Madam, I shall take it for a warning, 
yett when I reflect as well upon the affection and 
singleness of heart whearwith I did it, as also upon 
the motives which confined mee in point of time 
from acquainting you first thearwithall, I plead 
not guilty of having deserved at your LaPP" s hands 
to have my well meaning hearein to be soe passed 
by as not worthy of a lyne or a message. And least 
those motives should seem to be altogether fayned 
and imaginary, as I did touch upon them then, 
soe I now offer them to your view in thease payre 



174 

of letters from Sir Drue Drury to me, both con- 
cerning himself and his nephew Wingfield ; * which 
I onely insist on to excuse mee for acting the busines 
before my acquainting and receaving commission 
from you. And I was not ignorant that time 
in thease cases, though it seeme a circum- 
stans, yett is indeed substance ; precedency be- 
ing a principall verbe, which my cosin Fred's 
patent hath, both of Drue, and Wingfield, and of 
Sir Rob* Crane; which in my poore discretion, 
considering they are all of a county, was som- 
what, and which had been lost if I had stayed to 
send and to have heard from you first. And now, 
my dearest friend, Lady, and cosin, I come to that 
which both affects and perplexes mee more then 
any other thing in this woorld which can come 
crosse upon mee, namely, the ill tidings of your 
want of health, and the dayly fears, and appre- 
hensions I have of your growing worse; agaynst 
which I have no refuge but to Almighty God with 
my dayly and instant prayers, which I shall as 
earnestly doe as for my own soule ; and, being ob- 
tained, give Him thanks as for the greatest tem- 
porall blessing to mee upon earth. 

Yo r LaPP' s all and ever to love and serve you, 

T. Meautys. 

May 10* 1627. 

* Elizabeth, sister to Sir Drue Drury, of Riddlesworth, married Sir 
Thomas Wingfield, Knt. father of the first baronet, whose creation is 
here alluded to. 



175 

My cosin Fred 3 patent beares date the 4 th of 
this present; Drue's the 7 th following; Wingfield's* 
and Crane's f are not yet passed the seale. I could 
not send it now, as I intended, by reason the in- 
rolment of it, both in the Exchequer and the 
Rowles, take up more time then I expected. 

I am not a little troubled to hear of my cosin 
Bacon's ill health, and that I am good for nothing 
that may conduce to his recovery; onely my 
prayers for him shall bee in as good earnest as 
for the dearest friend and brother I have. 

To my much hon r(1 Lady and Cosin the Lady Jane Bacon, at 
Broome Hall, Suff. 

CXI I. 

the same to the same. 
My ever dearest Lady and Cosin, 

The oportunity of this messenger being sent to 
SaxumJ gives me as much time as serves to be 
accountable to your LaPP of myselfe and my jour- 
ney, being now at Toddington, from whence I 
am injoyned to make retourne to your LaPP of the 
love and respects of the Right Noble Lord and 
Lady hear. I reached Hartford on Saturday be- 
fore five o'clock, whear I was not the less welcome 
for the place I came from, and your LaP p ' s friendly 
and loving remembrance which accompanied mee 

* Anthony Wingfield, of Goodwins, Suffolk, patent dated 1 7 May, 
1627. f Robert Crane, of Chilton, Suffolk, 11 May, 1627. 

$ The residence of Sir John Crofts, Lady Cleveland's father. 



176 

thither; for with Harry Meautys's * I send you the 
best and all the retourne he can make, which is, 
to find an innermost roome for you and yours in 
his dayly prayers. Soe, beseeching your La pP to 
doe the like for him and mee, in yours, and desir- 
ous to be numbered in the catalogue of your 
family, I ask your blessing with the very mouth 
of my heart, and remain, 

Your La pp ' s all and ever, T. M. 

My Lord's brother arrived hear out of the Low 
Countries last night, by whom I find that there 
was not such a thing as an army on foot for the 
affayres of the Palatinate, all theyre's being now 
in garrison. The peace between Spayne and them 
hovers aloofe, and, if at all, not likely to be con- 
cluded in hast. 
Madam, 

If it may be without your trouble, I would gladly 
hear how it fares with M r Claxton. 

Monday night [1627]. 

CXIII. 

THE SAME TO THE SAME. 
My EVER BEST LADY AND COSIN, 

This bearer some weekes since having delivered 
mee a letter from your La pp , and calling upon mee 
this day to know whether I would retourne an 

* One of the sons of Henry Meautys and Elizabeth Hare, first 
cousin to the Clerk of the Council. 



177 

answere, therby gave mee an opportunity, which 
left mee without excuse yf 1 had now omitted to 
write. And because it is not unwoorthy your 
knowing, nor the repeating, though you may know 
it already, nor unacceptable to you, what we have 
done and are doing in Parliament, thease take 
leave to tell you, that on Saturday last the King 
gave a full and satisfactory answer to our petition 
concerning the liberty of the subject, and pro- 
priety and exemption of his person and estate from 
any illegal courses, which caused such expression 
of joy in generall, as, whear tongue left, bells and 
bonfires began ; and the proceeding with the sub- 
sidies, which wear till then at a stand, followed the 
next day in Parliament, and are ready to be passed 
entirely within two or three days. Neverthelesse, 
wee goe on with a remonstrance or informacion to 
his Ma tie contayning the generall grievance of the 
realme, which wee have reduced to thease heads, 
namely, fear of innovation of religion, and the ill 
successes of our late forrain enterprizes, the ill 
state and decay of our forts and castles, the gene- 
rall want of powder and all other sorts of ammuni- 
tion requisite for the defence of the realme, the 
decay of trade, the great losse and decay of fche 
shipping of the realme, the ill guarding of the 
narrow seas ; and ended in these very termes, that 
the excessive power of the Duke of Buck™ and the 
abuse of that power is the chief cause of these 

i 5 






178 

evils and daungers to the King and kingdome. 
This was the woorke of this day, and held us 
without stirring out of the house from 8 this 
morning till this hower, being now 7 at night ; soe 
that, it being now high time to goe to dynner, I 
end the more abruptly, and rest, 

Yo r LaPP' s all and ever to serve you, 

T. Meautys. 

The inclosed, for those few words which are in 
French, and for which you want noe interpreter, 
was the King's answer to our petition ; the rest 
was somewhat which hee spake before and after 
the answer given. I heard speech of your pur- 
pose to come to town : if such part of my house as 
is empty may pleasure you, you may command it. 

June 11 [1627]. 

CXIV. 

the same to the same. 

My ever best Lady and Cosin, 

I have, almost ever since my coming from Cul- 
ford, been dayly in journeys, and am, at the writing 
of thease, soe newly alighted from my horse, that 
I have scarse time, considering the carrier's hower 
is at hand, to scribble this. I am not a little com- 
patible with my friends thear to find, by a letter 
from my cosin Fred, that my cosin Bacon's health 
still declines, and that your LaPP hath hurt your 



179 

foot, which puts you to much payne. Madam, 
weare I good for any thing that mought bee of use 
towards eyther of your recoveries, I would not 
fayle to hasten to you, and make a tender in per- 
son of my best endeavours and most affectionat 
service ; but, since I am not, my onely resort must 
bee with my dayly prayers, upon the knees of my 
heart, to the Great Physician Himself. Neverthe- 
less, I have hearwithall sent some of that syropp of 
ela campane, of my sister's making, which I have 
myself, and some other of my friends, found so 
much good of, and have withall sent the receipt 
herinclosed by which it is made ; and if thear bee 
any thing in it hurtful to my cosin's infirmity, 
yett I am perswaded it will do your La?P good for 
that rheume whearwith I heard you complayne 
you wear troubled a mornings. And by cause I 
saw my cosin was allowed to take tobacco som- 
times, I, having had some sent mee from a friend 
for special good, have hearwithall likewise sent 
some porcion of it, and, yf my cosin like it, I will 
send him more. Soe, wishing with all my soule a 
share in eyther of your sufferings and discomforts 
of body or mynd, so that your parts therby might 
be the more tolerable, I corriend you to the conso- 
lacion and protection of God Almighty, and rest, 
Yo r LaPP' 3 all and ever to love and serve you, 

T. Meautys. 

June 22 [1627]. 



180 

The Duke,* we say, sette sayle on Weddensday, 
and the King is expected hear tomorrow. Yt is 
no newes to you, I conceave, that Sir Thomas 
Meautys is father of a brave boy, and that my 
Lady of Sussex hath, in congratulacion thearof, 
descended from her greatnes, and is like to be 
well again with him. 



cxv. 

sir thomas meautys to jane lady bacon. 

Deere Sister, 

I am very sorry to understand by your letter of 
the death of my brother, your husband ; yet, againe, 
in the same letter you did send me a consolation 
ever to bee rejoysed for, and that is, the peacable, 
quiet, and relygeous end that he made att his de- 
parture out of this worlde, to tacke possession of 
that most blessed inherytance which God hath pre- 
pared for all those that die in His favour. Sister, 
whereas you wright me in your letter that he hath 
left you behind him his widdow, full of greefe and 
sorrow, to morne for yourself and not for him, in- 
deed I was glad to hear you saye soe ; for a man to 
lament the departure of a freind with extremytie 
of greefe, when his own eye is a wittnes, and his 
hart lykewyse tells him, that his freind hath ex- 
changed his sosietie for a more happy one, and 

* The Duke of Buckingham. 



181 

hath left this worlde, soe full of troble and miserye, 
to goe tacke possession of a kingdom, the joyes of 
which are not to be expressed, that person that 
shall sorrow soe much for the los of his freind, 
certainly he cannot be esteemed a trew freind at 
all, for yf a husband shall study to make his wyfe 
happy, or a wyfe her husband, all the dayes of 
their lyfe, after their departure let them endevor to 
lyve soe as they may dye the servants of Almightie 
God, I have often called to minde a sayinge of 
you unto me, which for the pyousnes of it I must 
never forget, it being upon the death of your fyrst 
husband, when myselfe was with you and saw 
how exceedingly you greeved for the los of him ; 
and I well remember that I was a lyttle mouved at 
your pacion, to which you replyed, " O brother ! 
you must holde me excused yf soe be that I greeve 
for him, but yet it is not soe much for his death, 
as for the manner of his death ;" which was a 
worthy saying, and comendable in the ears of all 
those that ever heard it. But, deere sister, in this 
your last husband that feare is tacken awaye and 
greefe abolyshed, and joye sent in place of sorrow 
from God to comfort yourselfe and all the rest of 
his freinds left behinde him ; and we will all of us 
greeve with you, but, as we ought, with a moderate 
and discreet greef, for otherwyse we should appear 
brutal to the worlde ; and surely a sorrow is allow- 
ed to every one of us to sorrow for our freinds 



182 

departed. My wyfe desiers to have her love re- 
membered to you, who is but weake as yet; but 
my child is, I praise God, helthy and strong. I 
am sorry to hear that you should be driven to tacke 
up money to serve your present tourne ; in what a 
case then must your brother bee, in that he hath 
no rents at all to reseave. I protest before the 
Almightie God, that I was never so neere to bee 
ruinated and cast under foot as I am at this pre- 
sent for my company in the Low Countryes, as 
you may see by this enclosed letter, which I re- 
seaved not above 10 dayes agoe, in what case I 
stand ; yet yf I can but goe over now with Lord 
Vere, who attends the Dutch Ambassador's re- 
tourne, I may speede reasonably well, yf I had but 
100^ to settle my affayres before my going, and 
to leave my wyfe provyded for : therfore let me in- 
treate you imploye your creditt for soe much for 
me till Michaelmas, and I will see it discharged 
without any prejudice at all to you, for I have 3 
or 400^ due unto me in the Low Countries since 
my coming from thence, the which I can reseave 
no part of it till my owne retourne ; and you shall 
make me very much your servant. 

Y r affectionat brother, T. Meautys. 

Clerkenwell, July the 2d, 1627. 



183 



CXVI. 

the same to the same. 

Deere Sister, 

By this you shall receive an account of the pre- 
sent that you left with me for the Queene of Bo- 
hemia. As soone as she saw me come into the 
roome where hir Ma tie was, her second words was, 
" How dooth my Lady Cornwallis?" I gave her your 
present, and told her that I had left you with a 
hart charged with griefe for the death of your hus- 
band, but with a minde full of will and reddynes 
to doe her Majesty service. She tooke the box, 
and before all the company that was there did 
open it, and did very much commend the property 
of it, and retourne you many thanks ; for that I 
saw that it was a gyft very agreeable to her, for 
the same day at my Lord Ambassador's howse, 
where the King and Queene and Princes of 
Orange did dyne, she tooke occasion to speake of 
it againe, and said that the old love between you 
two must not be forgotten. I pray, therefore, con- 
tinue this interchange to her as often as you shall 
find occasion, for, upon my soul ! if it laye in her 
power to doe you a good office, she would not be 
sparing to performe it. She lookes her within 
this month or 6 weekes to be brought a bed. 
God send her a safe and happy ower, yf it be His 



184 

will ! I left a letter with my wyfe, in which I 
desired you to lend her 50i?, in regard I left her 
but ill provided. I pray God to bles you with 
His spiritual and temporal blessings ; and soe I rest, 
Y r most affect 6 brother and servant, 

T. Meautys. 

Hage, July 25, 1627. 

To my deare sister Lady Bacon, at Broome. 



CXVIL 



t. meautys to jane lady bacon. 
My ever best and dearest Lady, 



I reseaved yours in answer to myne about the 
picture, and having no better way to satisfy the 
Lord * I mentioned, that I had dealt clearly with 
him in doing my endeavor, I shewed him so much 
of your letter as related thearunto ; one passage 
whearof he was willing to lay hould of as giving 
him some kind of hopes that the picture mought 
be procured from those hands it was meant to by 
your noble husband ; and thearfore, yf you please 
to lett me know by your next to whose hands it is 
come, and that I may likewise understand what is 
meant by these wordes in your letter, " / thinke 
they will not part with it upon those termes would he 

* See the next Letter. 



185 

pleasing to you" it would enable me to give full 
satisfaction to that Lord whether it be to be had 
on any termes or noe, whearin he now flatters 
himselfe with some little hope derived from those 
wordes in your foresayd letter. Yt is, I conceave, 
no newes to you, that on Friday last we resolved 
in the howse on giving the King 5 subsidies, the 
time not then agreed on, but the inclinacyon of 
the howse was to pay them all, or 4 of them, be- 
tweene this and Christmas ; since then, which is 
now some dayes, we have not spoken a word more 
of them, but gone on with our own busines to pro- 
vide for the liberty of the subject both in his per- 
son and estate, both which have been infringed 
by the late busines of the loanes and billeting of 
souldiers, as is insisted upon by the howse. The 
King, taking it in ill part that we goe not on with 
the subsidies, requires us to sitt all this Easter, 
and not to breake up for a weeke, as we intended, 
which men are not pleased withall; and however, 
in conformity with the King's message, we shall 
continue together without adjourning our howse, 
yett it is so unwillingly, as that I doubt the King's 
busines will hardly gett any steppes forward ; which 
yf the King find, he is resolved, I perceave by 
those who know his mind near hand, to putt us 
roundly to it by some message to the howse ; which 
yf it take not effect, which I feare to think of, our 
Parlement will not be long lived. 



186 

The enclosed* is somewhat that passed from 
the King and the Duke at the Counsell table 
the next day after we resolved to give the 5 sub- 
sidies. I am the shorter in newes, because I un- 
derstand by your last that you want not our Par- 
lement newes from better and readier hands. 
Yo r La pp ' s all and ever, 

T. Meautys. 

Good Friday [1628]. 

CXVIII. 

THE SAME TO THE SAME. 
My EVER DEAREST LADY AND CoSIN, 

In my last to you, which it seemes hath miscar- 
ried, I expressed that my Lord of Dorsettf was the 
Lord that affected the picture ; and did likewise in 
that letter bemoane the sicknes, and desire your 
prayers for the recovery of my deare sister Glover, 
who was then very sick of the small pox, whearof 
with eyes fraught with teares of grieffe I must in 
the first place acquaint you, she departed this life 
on this day fortnight, and yett tell you withall, with 
eyes noe lesse filled with teares of joye and com- 
fort, that she hath assuredly changed this life for a 
better, and that she is now a saynt in heaven, 

* April 3, 1628. The King, in a message to the Commons, denied 
the truth of a report, that the Duke of Buckingham had spoken 
malicious words at the Council table against that House ; nothing 
having fallen from him, or any other, to that purpose. 

+ Edward Sackville, fourth Earl of Dorset, ob. 1652. 



187 

witnessed to all that heard her infallibly by those 
Christian conflicts and heavenly conferences be- 
tween God and her soule for divers dayes together, 
even to the period of her life ending, in the un- 
speakable and lively feeling and assurance of that 
haven of eternall happines whearunto she was 
saylyng. I am, thearfore, now indeavouring what 
possibly I may, under so great an affliction as this 
is to me, to practise that which I advise other 
friends that loved her, namely, to forgett what we 
have lost by remembring what she hath gayned. 
She died at Kellett's, the apothecarie's, neare 
Paule's, whear her daughter Anne at this present 
lyeth ill of the same disease, but is, God be 
thanked ! past all daunger and almost able to goe 
abroad. Yt rests that, in relation to those of her 
little wandring flock she hath left behind her, I 
make the like suit to your La p that I doe to the 
rest of my friends, which is, to lend me so much of 
their advice and helpe as they can spare me for the 
disposing and breeding of some of them ; and yf 
your La«» can find in your harte to ease me some- 
what, without charge to you at all, of the care 
of breeding that little harmlesse one which was 
dear to her, and is no less soe to me, and ever 
was, the rather peradventure because she hath in 
favour been sayd and believed to resemble you, I 
shall be at some harte's ease, which at this time I 
have neede of, being like one that hath lost a 



188 

wife as well as a deare sister, finding the difference 
now for a moneth together between solitude and 
the conversacyon and comfort of a matchless friend ; 
and wear it not for the relief I have found from some 
disconsolate howers by the neighbourhood and 
noble favors of my Lord and Lady Cleveland, of 
whose family I reckon myself, and have done all 
this while, thear being nothing but solitude under 
my own roofe, I should by this time have resolved 
to become as weary of this part of the world as 
some friends alive, nearest and dearest unto me, 
have shewed of late to be of me. 1 receaved let- 
ters this morning from Sir Thomas Meautys, dated 
the 25th of March : he and his lady are both well, 
and she ready to make worke for the midwife 
about the end of July next, as she writes, and hath 
invited me to come over and christen her childe ; 
whearof I can yett retourne noe direct answer untill 
I have settled some tearme busines concerning my 
Lord S* Albane's creditors, and taken order for the 
disposing of some of my sister's children, and 
seeing to the maintenance, which is 100^?, and 
amongst them, left in trust with me and my eldest 
brother for their educacyon. However, against 
that time lett me bespeake your letters into those 
parts, for rather your brother in some letters to 
me complaines of being so unhappy as not to have 
receaved any letters lately from you. And now, 
my best and dearest friend, I take leave to kisse 



189 

your pretious hands, and to wish from the bottom 
of my soul all true happines and blisse both in 
this life and a better to you and all yours, whom I 
doe most sincerely and entirely love ; resolving, in 
what part of the world soever it shall please God 
to dispose me, to live and dye 

All and ever yo r La pp ' s , 

T. Meautys. 

Apr" 16th [1628]. 

The L ds of the upper howse are this day in seri- 
ous debate, which hath held them some days to- 
gether, whether they shall joyne with us to the 
King in that part of our petition for the restrayning 
of the King's power of comitment in all cases with- 
out shewing cause upon the comitment. Yf they 
joyne, all will end well; otherwise we are like to 
break within very few dayes. 



CXIX. 



sir edmund bacon to jane lady bacon. 

Sister, 

I had a purpose to have seene you in the ende 
of this weeke; but, finding a disposition to the 
goute, I have bene driven to take physike these 4 
days by way of prevention. This I hope shall ex- 
cuse me to you, who am goinge towards London, 
God willinge, the day after the fast ; where, yf yt 



190 

shall please you to comande me any thing, I shall 
be ready to serve you. In the mean tyme I en- 
treat you that M r Fenne may come to me, for I 
can now give him satisfaction concerninge the 
lyvery, M r Barrie having bene here with me to that 
purpose. Yt will be necessarye that the inventory 
of my father's goods be at London ; yf you will 
sende yt to me, I will carrye yt; or otherwise I 
desyre you yt may be there. I hope all thinges 
will be in so good a forwardnes that the next 
tearme shall dispach the busynes, of which I im- 
magine you thinke I am by this tyme wearye. And 
thus I rest, 

Y r lovinge brother, ready to doe you service, 

Ed. Bacon. 

There are thankes to be given under my hande 

for the best and fattest pike that ever was eaten : 

he had a fish hooke in the fatt on y e outside of his 

rivett. 

Redgrave, this 19 of April 1628. 



cxx. 

the same to the same. 
Sister, 

I being to pay much money into the Exchequer 
for the debt of my father to the K., I am tould I 
am like to be releived out of the estate my father 
left, eyther personal or his lands disposed. The dis- 



191 

tribution of the charge must be ordered by the 
Barons of the Exchequer, from whence this morn- 
ing I was delivered a subpoena to be sent unto you 
that there might be cleere dealings amongst us. 
I have acquainted M r Morse this morning how 
the proceedings in the business are like to be, and 
withall I have tould him that in all the wayes I 
shall proceed no otherwise then as I shall be will- 
ing to declare myselfe to any man of judgment. 
These shall be presently speedily sent to my bro- 
thers to make answere for what concernes them. 
I am glad to hear this morning that Nicke begins 
to recover. 

Your very loveing brother, 

Ed. Bacon. 

Rowlls, this 14 of May 1628. 



CXXI. 

jane lady bacon to sir edmund bacon. 
Brother, 

I received your letter with your unkind token, 
which I think I did not deserve, I haveing been as 
forward, if not forwarder, to a peacable end then 
any body els ; but since you have made choice of 
this way to walk in, I will go with you along upon 
as faire and frendly tearmes as you will ; and rest, 
Yo r very loveing sister, 

Ja. Bacon. 

[May, 1628.] 



192 



CXXII. 

t. meautys to jane lady bacon. 

My best Lady and Cosin, 

I have found even minutes enough, and that 's 
all, between the Parlament howse and the Consell 
chamber to scribble over these confused lines, and 
to tell you what hath passed in Parlament, viz. 
almost a moneth ; for onely time, and not busines, 
hath hetherto passed. Tomorrow Sir Ed. Cooke's 
election will be determined of, and it is taken for 
graunted he will be excluded and another chosen 
in his roome. The counsell of warre, as well such 
of them as are of the upper howse as the rest, are 
tomorrow to appear in the lower howse, and to 
answere to such questions as shall thear be asked 
them touching the yssuing and expending of the 
late subsidies. The lower howse hath busied 
themselves most part of this weeke in examining 
the stay of a French shipp hear, laden with mer- 
chandise of the valew of 400,000^?, which stay 
hath caused an arest of all our merchants'' goods 
in Fraunce, to the valew of above 300,000^?. The 
stay of that shipp having produced this ill effect, it 
hath heated the howse against those who made the 
seazure therof, which is found to be the Lo. Ad- 
mirall ; whearupon a message was this daye sent 
to him from our howse to demaund his reason of 
that stay, with a purpose, in case he gives us not 



193 

the better satisfaction, to present it up to the 
King as a publique greevance ; the yssue whearof 
can proove nothing but the loozing our breath and 
the shewing of our good wills to the Duke, for he 
will easily answer it to the King and upper howse 
though we be deaf to him. Pray, Madam, lett 
me understand in your next of my cosin's safe and 
healthfull arrival at Broome, and in the mean 
time present him with the best affections of 
His and yours to serve you ever, 

T, Meautys. 
The Earl of Devonsheere # is dead. 

[June 21, 1628.] 

Pray direct your letters to Kellett's the apothe- 
cary, on Ludgate Hill. 



CXXIII. 

sir edmund bacon to jane lady bacon. 

Sister, 

I make no doute but M r Morse hath tolde you 
in what forwardnes I was towards a composition 
at his beinge at London, which since I have per- 
fected ; and though yt be a good sum of monye, 
3100^, yet, all things considered, I complayne 
not of the bargaine. To conclude, the next 
tearme ther was proces appointed to be sent downe 

* William Cavendish, second Earl of Devonshire, died June 20, 
1628. 



194 

to the shreyfe, to charge those in possession of 
my father's landes to make awnsweare why they 
should not be chargable to the debt to the K., 
and that the conveyances of the landes should be 
brought up. I was bolde, without your privitye, 
to stay the proces concerning you, as I did the 
rest for my brothers, by engaging myselfe to awn- 
sweare for them. Yf you like of the same course, 
I will retourne your awnsweare. Yf you shall be 
pleased to have one at London some 5 days be- 
fore the tearme, with the conveyance made to my 
brother upon your marriage, as also that which 
concernes the stock, I must certifye M r Vernon 
by the carriers that goe from Bury the next week 
what you will doe, and so desyre you to let me 
understande y r resolucon by Sunday night at the 
furthest. 

My brother's monument* goeth well forwarde; I 
sawe yt, so much as ys done, the day before I 
came out of towne. And yesterday, betwixt this 
& Burye, Tom Shorte tolde me the good nues 
that my nephewe Nick growes strong, which I am 
hartely glad of. 

Your very lovinge brother to serve you, 

Ed. I. Bacon. 

[June 1628.] 

* The bust of Nathaniel Bacon, now in Culford church. 



195 



CXXIV. 

t. meautys to jane lady bacon* 

My ever best and dearest Lady, 

As thear is nothing more naturall with me 
then to be best pleased when I am doing you ser- 
vise, soe be pleased to believe that thear hath 
nothing since I saw you occurred oftener to my 
thoughts and wishes then the hope of seeing and 
serving yours ere long. I write thease from 
Hampton Court, wheare the King and Queene 
intend to stay till Alhollandtide, and whear I am 
afrayd I shall be for the most part attending ; and 
thearfore, yf that part of my house which is at my 
own disposing, and which, by making up of doors 
and passages, is sequestered intirely from that 
part my Lo. of Cleveland hath, may pleasure you, 
you may eomand it, wholly furnished as it is ; and, 
when I retourne to it againe, I shall love every 
roome the better whearin I shall conceave you 
have eyther trodde or breathed. All this without 
courtshippe, as is and shall be for ever whatsoever 
else lyeth within the power which may be accept- 
able unto you of 

Yo r La^P' s all and ever to love and serve you, 

T. Meautys. 

The Parlament is adjourned till the 20 th of Ja- 
nuary, and a proclamacyon going out to that effect. 
Thear is nothing certaine of the fleete, other then 



196 

that on Monday was se'nnight they wear seene 
within some few leagues of the Isle of Retz, com- 
ing so late as, it seemes, to take advantage of the 
late spring tides, and expecting till the oportunity 
of the next, which by the seamen's calculacyon be- 
gun yesterday. My Lo. Brooke* departed this 
life on Tuesday morning. 

October 2, 1628. 

Pray, Madam, kisse M rs Randolph for me, and 
injoyne her to do the like for me to all my cosins, 
exsept Sir Frederick. 



cxxv. 

AMBROSE RANDOLPH TO JANE LADY BACON. 

Most HON rd Lady, 

Upon Munday last I received 15£ of M r Morse 
and gave him an acquittance for it, and imediatly 
payed it to M rs Burnibie and had her discharge. I 
have also sent your letter to Sir T. Meautys ; and 
can assure you that M rs Glover had your letter 
long sinse, but I left her sick, which may be the 
cause you hear not from her. The Lady Barring- 
ton, and y e Lady Crofts that shall be the next week, 

* Fulke Greville Lord Brooke died September 30, 1628, aet. sua? 
75. His death was occasioned by a wound inflicted upon him by 
one Haywood, a servant, whom he had offended by cancelling a bequest 
that he had made in his favour under a former will. 



197 

present again their service to you 1 ' La s P, whose 
neighbourhood was a great advancement to the 
match, as they confesseth.* From beyond sea we 
only heare that the Sweths and the French King 
are united, and their articles agreed upon. Here 
at home Sir John Suckling, f in place of repairing 
his honor, hath lost his reputation for ever, and 
drawne himself in dainger of the law. On Tues- 
day last he waie layed M r Digby, that had formerly 
strook him, and, as he came from the play, he, 
with many more, set upon M r Digby; in which 
quarell Sir John Suckling had a man rune through, 
som say he is dead. The King goeth this day, 
being Friday, to Cobam^ where the Duke festes 
him this night ; then he comes hether again, wher 
I remain, 

Yo r LaP ,s most affectionat kinsman to serve 
you and yours, 

Ambr. Randolph. 

21 ofNovembr. [1628], 



* As Sir John Crofts, of Saxham, had a wife living at this time, 
and his son, who was then eighteen years old, did not marry for some 
time, we may suppose this alliance never took place. 

+ Sir John Suckling was Comptroller of the Household to James 
and Charles, and father to the poet of both his names. 

X Cobham Hall, in Kent, then the property of James Duke of 
Lenox, whose father is mentioned in a former letter ; now belonging 
to the Earl of Darnley, 



198 



CXXVL 

SUSANNAH BURNEBYE* TO MRS. LONG. 

Worthy M rs Long, 

Since I wrote my last letter to you it hath 
pleased God to take away my deare and louing 
father from vs, which hath beene greater greefe to 
me then I can express. I giue you many thankes 
for this your desir which you fauour me with all, in 
letting me heare of my nephew's good health, which 
I am very glad of. I am confident, if my Lady 
Bacon would take him into her care, S r Thomas 
and my sister would, as they should, haue a great 
deal of reason to thinke themselues much obliged 
to her LaP for that courtesie, she being a frend 
which I know they highly esteeme of. I haue 
not yet receiued answere of any letter which I 
haue sent to my sister, which I maruell much at ; 
and shee doth the like, as it hath apeered by some 
letters which I haue receiued from her, she chal- 
lenging me with want of true affection because 
shee hath not heard from me ; and, God knows, I 
haue not neglected any meanes whereby I might 
send to her. My mother desires to haue her kind 

* An unmarried sister to Anne Lady Meautvs. 



199 

respects presented to your worthy selfe and M r 
Long ; so, with my owne to you both, I rest, 
Yours assured to doe you seruice, 

Susanna Burnebye. 

May the 11 th , 1629. 

To my much honored frend M ris Long, at her house in Clarkenwell 
Close, present these, London. 



CXXVII. 

t. meautys to jane lady bacon. 

My noble Lady and Cosin, 

Yf it weare as easy for me to passe through 
Suffolk without asking leave to salute you and 
to inquire of your welfare, as it is for you to deny 
me leave, I had peradventure forborne to put 
upon you at this time the trouble of reading 
thease ; but by cause, be you what you please to- 
wards me, I can be no other in my heart towards 
you then what, upon best understandings formerly 
between us as friends, we have formerly professed, 
you may please to pardon me yf upon that foun- 
dacyon, which on my part was layd too deep to 
be shaken with every tempest of unkindnes, much 
lesse with one guste of breath, I take leave to 
build agayne some lower roomes for myself in 
your accustomed friendly and much desired affec- 
tions. And yf I may be soe happy as to perceave, 
upon the retourne of this bearer, that the porter at 
Broome hath not in charge to shutte the gates 



200 

against me when I come thither, I shall peradven- 
ture sett apart one hower before I retourne to 
London to waite on you and kisse your hands, 
then which nothing, since I had the favor to doe it 
last, hath occurred more acceptable, or is more 
longed for by 

Yo r La pp,s for ever to love and serve you, 

T. Meautys. 

Norfolke, Armingland, May 25, 1629. 



CXXVIII. 

the same to the same. 

My ever best Lady and Cosin, 

I am not a little troubled that I have heard 
nothing since my departure from Broome concern- 
ing your health, though I had my cosin Randolph's 
promise, and partly yours, that I should. I was 
severall times at my Lady Nethersole's lodging 
to have delivered your letter with my own hands, 
but, not finding her within, I sent it her at length 
by my man Matthewe, who was intrusted to give 
her an account of your present health, and of the 
circuit that letter had rode before it came to her 
hands. She tould my man shee would this day 
write to you and send the letter to mee ; but I hear 
nothing of it, and thearfore I conceave shee may 
have found some readyer way to convey it to your 
hands. The inclosed, from your brother, came to 



201 

my hands some dayes since; whearin by cause to 
hear somthing concerning his child, I thought it 
not unreasonable to impart it to you. Onely, yf 
in any letter to him you reply to any thing con- 
tayned in this of his to mee, you may bee pleased 
not to acknowledge that I transmitted to you the 
whole letter. That Sir Thomas Edmonds goes 
ambassador for Fraunce, I think, is noe newes. 
The Queene comes abroad on Sunday next, and 
hath been so well, beyond expectacion, all the time 
of her lying-in, as that it was a second labor to her 
to keep in all this time. You will, peradventure, 
hear speach of an ambassador arrived here from 
the Arch Duchesse, but it is onely Reubens, the 
famous painter, appearing onely in his own quality ; 
and Jerbir,* the Duke's painter, master of the 
ceremonies to entertaine him. My Lady Barring- 
ton injoyned mee last night not to omitt her ser- 
vise to you; and I should" say as much for her to 
my cosin Randolph, but that I owe her not soe much 
service, for fayling of her promise in giving mee 
an account this weeke of your La pp,s health, then 
which nothing in the world can bee more welcome 
to Yo r La pp ' 3 all and ever to love and serve you, 

T. Meautys. 

June [1629]. 

* Sir Balthazar Gerbier. 



k5 



202 

CXXIX. 

bridget long * to jane lady bacon. 
Good Madam, 

I haue lately receeved both the letters you sent 
me, and yo r letter that is directed to my Lady Meau- 
tys, w ch about a fortnight hence I will most carefully 
send to Forneham by the foote post that lately came 
to me from her, and will call on me before he re- 
tome. I also lately received a letter from M rs 
Suzanna,f my Ladie's sister, w ch I make bold here- 
with to send yo r LaP, that you maye thereby take 
notice of the death of Sir Richard Burnaby, as 
also that you may truely knowe what intentions 
are towardes the poore childe on that syde ; butt I 
leaue the consideration therof to yo r LaP* s wise- 
dome, for I do this onely of my owne heade, and 
yo r LaP may doe as you please for all me : butt 
truely itt is high tyme the childe were nowe taken 
into some better keepinge, for albeitt the nurse 
doth her parte to the vttmost, yett he nowe be- 
ginnes to growe, and will looke for better coihons 
then her wages will beare. I sente for him and 
he was w th me a fortnight att Whitsontyde last, 
and I perceiued how well a little tyme of chaunge 
did alter him : he is very well (I thanke God) and 
comes on apace : he can goe and prattle a little, 

* She seems to have been an intimate friend of Lady Bacon "s. 
living, with her husband, at Clerkenwell. 
+ Burnabye. 



203 

and is very pretty companye, and thrives the better 
for his good aunte Bacon's allowance, w ch is 
weekely sent his nurse for him. And thus, good 
Madam, I am redy to seme you, if in any thinge 
you haue occasion to comaund me : in the meane 
tyme I doe humbly take my leaue. 

Yo r LaP" s to be comaunded, 

Bridgett Longe. 

This 17 th of June 1629. 

To the righte worthye and my much honored good ladye, the Ladye 
Bacon, att her house in Suffolke, &c. &c. 

M r Longe remembers his humble seruice vnto 
you. 

cxxx. 

dorothe randolph to jane lady bacon. 

My most honored Lady and dearest frend, 

I retorne you humble thankes for your coach, 
which brought us well to Coulchester, where I met 
M r Randolph with another, but not one that will 
bring us to London before Saturday night. I per- 
seave nothing by him that should cause my stay in 
London longer then to see my mother and doe my 
duty to her, for she finds good frends to helpe her 
to money out of the Exchequer, and that is all she 
is like to expect, he tells me; yet I am resolved 
to trie what may be done for her, and then make 
hast to kiss your hands at Brome again, which I 
hope to doe within a fortnight or three weekes. 



204 

My father, to my great joye, made his last actions 
sutable to his former, which was, he did his inde- 
vor to sell his offis, which was made over to M r 
Randolph before, and came so neer it as the man 
was in the howse with money to paie for it, when 
at the instant he failed of words and breath, soe 
nothing was done. If M r Randolph had not gone 
as he did, it seemes he had lost his offis ; for my 
Lord Carlisle* comended one to the King, which 
he apointed to posses my father's plase, M r Ran- 
dolph being such a stranger as I think they knew 
not what right he had to it ; but now they are per- 
swaded to let the man paie for it and be his part- 
ner, and reseave half the benefit, which he might 
have possesed alone had he not neglected it, as he 
doth all things ; but he seemes glad ther is one to 
do the busines for him, that he may live like a 
drone as he did. 

I am your most true harted cosin and humblest 
servant, Dorothe Randolph. 

[1629.] 

CXXXI. 

the same to the same. 
My most honored Lady, 

My desires and intentions have bene to have 
waighted on you long agoe, for I thought my 

* James Hay, Viscount Doncaster ; in 1622 advanced to the Earl- 
dom of Carlisle, filled several offices about the court and King's per- 
son, and was K.G. Ob. 1636. 



205 

mother and her busines would have bene better 
settled sooner ; but all things are yet as they 
weare, and nothing to be done about her money 
till the King come, and till she know what to trust 
to : so she will by noe means let me leave her. 

I have no hope of seeing your Ladyship sud- 
denly, except some good occasion bring you to 
towne. Sir William Plaiter* will acquaint you 
with the busines of my Lord Banning'sf daughters, 
which we thinke very good marages, and not hard 
to be gotten by you, because you have a great 
many frends to make way for you, as my Lord of 
Dorset J and Sir Henry German,§ that are nere 
kinsmen to them. Sir Harbottle Grimston || hath a 

* Sir William Playters, Bart, of Sotterley, Suffolk. Ob. 1638. 

•f* Paul, first Viscount Banning, who died in 1629, left issue by 
his wife Anne, daughter of Sir Henry Glemham, Knt. one son and 
four daughters : Cecily, married to Henry Pierrepont, Marquis of 
Dorchester ; Anne, created Viscountess Banning after her father's 
death, married to Henry Murray, Esq. Groom of the Bedchamber to 
Charles II. ; Mary, married, 1st, William, Viscount Grandison, 
2dly, Charles Villiers, Earl of Anglesey, and, 3dly, Arthur George, 
Esq. ; Elizabeth, married, 1st, Francis Lord Dacre, 2dly, David 
Walter, Esq. and was, in 1680, created Countess of Shepey for life. 
Lord Banning's widow remarried Dudley, first Viscount Dorchester, 
and surviving him, gave birth to a posthumous daughter, named 
Frances, who died young. £ Vide page 1 86. 

§ He was created in 1644 Baron Jermyn of Bury St. Edmunds, 
and afterwards attended the Queen to France, and had the manage- 
ment of her household. In 1660 he was raised to the Earldom of 
St. Albans, and became subsequently Chamberlain of the Household, 
and K.G. He died in 1683, unmarried. 

|| Sir Harbottle Grimston, of Bradfield, Essex, created a baronet in 
1612, father to the Master of the Rolls. 



206 

greate deale of interest there, and will be as redee 
to do you servis as any bodie. Thar is a report 
my Lord of Dorchester* shall marry the widow; 
which if he doe, you will be still the stronger. If 
this or any thing else perswade you to come to 
towne, I think you cannot be better lodged any 
whear then heare with this woman; and you may 
sojorn with her, or she will provide you diet. 
She hath made a fine lodging of the parler and 
furnished it daintily, which you may have, and that 
within it, and the romes over where you lay be- 
fore : but they will not be long unlet, for theare is 
many desires them ; but, if I can possibly, I will 
make a stay of them till I hear from you; till 
which time, and ever, I will be 

Y r Ladyship's most faythfull frend and humble 
servant, Dorothe Randolph^ 

[1629.] 

My mother presents her humble servis to your 
Ladyship ; so doth M r Randolph, whoe is in danger 

* See the note t to page 205. 

f The letters from Mrs. Randolph, which follow immediately, seem 
to belong to the years 1629 and 1630, and are arranged accordingly. 
Lady Bacon was at that time occupied in negotiating a suitable match 
for her son Sir Frederic, as it was called in the language of those days, 
when money formed the principal recommendation, and the inclinations 
of the parties concerned were altogether overlooked. Meanwhile Sir 
Frederic chose a wife for himself; and though his conduct in marry- 
ing without even informing his mother, who was devotedly attached 
to him, could not be justified, and the lady was ill endowed, she came 
of an ancient and honourable race, and appears from all the concurrent 
testimonies to have been an excellent and most amiable person. 



207 

to become a statesman, for he will not spare any 
frend or occasion one hower from his offis. I am 
promised to speake with a very good cooke, that 
served in a Lord's house ayght yeares. 



CXXX1I. 

the same to the same. 
My most honored Lady, 

I am now, I thanke God, soe well rid of my 
paine that I am able to give you an acount at larg 
of all the busines you wright about ; which I had 
done sooner, but that I reseaved not your letter, 
which I imagine should have come on Wednesday 
or Thursday, as they use to doe. I went sins to 
visit M rs Dickson, and in discors fell upon the 
ould busines; but she made answer ther was no 
good to be done for the two elder daughters,* ther 
was now a treaty of marage betwene my Lord 
North's sonef for one, and Sir Gervis Clifton's J for 

* We have no clue to the names of these ladies ; probably neither 
of the projected alliances took place, certainly not both, as North and 
Clifton do not appear to have married sisters ; but perhaps the daugh- 
ters of Sir Charles Montagu are referred to, of whom we find that 
Elizabeth became Lady Hatton ; Anne, Lady North ; and Mary, Lady 
Byshe. 

+ Sir Dudley North, made K.B. in 1616, succeeded to his father's 
barony, and died in 1677. 

X Sir Gervase Clifton, created a baronet in 1611 ; was seven times 
married, and served in eight parliaments, and died in 1 666, aged 
eighty. His son and heir, the second baronet, may be here al- 
luded to. 



208 

another, and the third was too young. I spake 
with M r Chitting about Sir Thomas Barrington's 
neese ; he semes to thinke she is worth seven 
thousand pounds, but he will wright to you the 
perticulers. But I beleve my inteligens will prove 
better then his, for my Lady Barrington, who is 
now in town, and presents her most afectionat 
servis to you, tould me M r Chitting had some 
speach with her concerning the gentlewoman, and 
would have had her wright to you about it; to 
which she made answer she would not propound it 
to you, but, if upon her informacion you toke liking 
to it, she would be redy to do you any servis, and 
would show how glad she would be that any that 
had relation to her might be soe happy as to come 
under your government. I asked her what her 
portion was : she tould me she had one thousand 
pounds in money and a hundred pounds a year 
land of inheritans, and they valued this at five 
thousand pounds or therabouts. I made answer, 
I had not heard any thing of it from you, but I 
thought you would not aksept of soe small a por- 
tion with any body; besides, you would rather have 
money then land: but this I said from myself. 
You may give what answer you please, and, if you 
like not of it, you need retorne noe answer to M r 
Chitting, for I have putt off my Lady Barrington 
from any hope of it ; tharfore, if pleas you, let M 1 
Chitting say nothing that he hath acquainted you 



209 

with it, becaus I think you will denie it, and I 
would have nothing hinder the proseding of a bu- 
sines which I have some hope may come to good, 
which is this : As I was with my Lady Barrington, 
ther came in Sir William Curtene,* a Dutchman, 
and two of his daughters, the one of which was 
soe conveniently handsome that I wished her my 
cosin's wife if shee had ten thousand pounds ; to 
which Lady Barrington answered, they were re- 
ported to have so much a piece, and ther father 
might give them more if he liked the condicions, 
for he is very rich. I asked the lady if shee had 
so much intrest in them as to propound such a 
business with hope of suckses, and whether she 
would be pleased to favor her frends soe much as 
to doe it : to which she answered, she had some 
power ther, and would use her best endeavors if 
she might reseave full comition from me, which I 
must first reseave from you, and so will prosede by 
your direction. Now, to give you some acount of 
your frends and servants here, of which my mother 
is one that retornes you many thankes for your 
kind wishes to her and her busines, in which yet 

* William Courteen, a Dutch merchant of great celebrity, who set- 
tled in England, and was knighted at Whitehall in 1622. He pur- 
chased large estates in Worcestershire, which he subsequently dis- 
posed of, owing to a reverse of fortune. By his first wife, a native of 
Haarleem, he had issue one son only : his second lady, whose name 
was Tryon, brought him another son, and three daughters, here men- 
tioned. Vide Kippis's Biographia Brit. 



210 

we can do nothing. The letter you sent my cosin 
Meautys was unsealed. You sent three open, one 
to him, one to Sir William Plaiters, and one to 
me ; but I delivered them to them both with my 
own hands, and I think they both beleved I looked 
not in them ; for, if I did not, my cosin was very 
testy at the reseaving of it, which had I known 
I would have sealed it for him. I think he meanes 
to come quarrell with you for it if he can find noe 
greater matter, for he intends to come to you as 
soon as the tearme is done. Sir William Plaiters 
is in this towne, and hath bene ever sins he came 
from you, but he hath bene ill of late with soare 
eyes. And now my paper reminds me I have 
bine so teadious to you, and bids me say noe more 
but that I am 

Your most loving, faithfull, & humble servant, 
Dorothe Randolph. 



CXXXIII. 

T. MEAUTYS TO JANE LADY BACON. 
MY EVER BEST LADY AND COSIN, 

At my coming to London on Weddensday last, 
and not before, I understood of yo r La pp ' s being at 
Coventry by M r Greenhill, whoe telling me he 
had letters to convey to you, I purposing at that 
time, and having oportunity, to send to my Lord of 



211 

Dunsmore's,* not farre from thence, gladly tooke 
upon me, and bespoke of him, the truste of con- 
veying them unto you, the rather that I moughte 
thearby be occasioned to attend upon them with 
a letter of my owne, making tender of my accus- 
tomed profession to love and serve you and yours 
with the most sincere and unchangeable affections 
of a friend and kinsman, and of my desires to re- 
ceave and doe your comandments with as much 
gust and appetite as that whearwith I feede upon 
my dayly bread. Next, I take leave to congratu- 
late with yo r La pp and my exc lent good aunt your 
noble mother the happy and, as I can witnesse on 
both partes, the long looked for hower that hath 
brought you together, and the many howers of 
joye and content which dayly accompany soe happy 
a meeting; only, I confesse I am not without 
some regrette that, eyther by yo 1 * La pp1s election or 
my misfortune, it falls out at such a time when I 
am not soe much at liberty, as yo r La pp well 
knows, nor soe much master of myself, as to waite 
upon you thear, as I professe I did infinitely de- 
sire to have done, and had not failed to doe at any 
other time which I mought call my owne. For 
newes, I meete with little hear, other then that 

* Sir Francis Leigh, Bart created, in July 1628, Baron Dunsmore 
of Dunsmore, co. Warwick, and in 1643 advanced to the Earldom of 
Chichester. He manifested his loyalty to the royal cause in the Great 
Rebellion, and died in December 1653, s. p. m. 



212 

the Spanish embassador, Don Carlos de Colona, 
who was formerly hear, is so near his arrivall as 
that thear is a howse in Broad Street already pre- 
pared to receave him ; and Sir Francis Cottington,* 
we say, goes for Spayne some time next weeke. 
You may, peradventure, have heard a rumour of 
some sharpe encounter betweene the Prince of 
Orange and Vanderburgh's army, and of blood 
drawn deeply betweene them, but the receaved 
opinion hear is that thear is no such thing. The 
King goes on Weddensday next to More Park,f 
whear he stayes till Friday, hunts and feasts. Soe, 
asking leave for thease to kiss your hands, to- 
gether with my worthy aunt's, and the rest of my 
best and dearest cosins under that roofe, especially 
those of my pretious cosin Anne at the least thrice 
over for the bracelett that goes thrice about, 
I rest, yo r La pp,s all & ever, 

T. Meautys. 

Hampton Court, Oct r 2, 1629. 
To Lady Bacon, at Coventry. 



* Created Lord Cottington 1631; died at Valladolid 1653. 

f According to Clutterbuck, More Park was then in the possession 
of Philip Earl of Pembroke, who alienated it shortly afterwards. 7th 
Charles I, to Cary Earl of Monmouth. — History tf Hertfordshire. 



213 



CXXXIV. 

dorothe randolph to jane lady bacon. 

My most honored Lady, 

There was one question my Lady Barrington 
asked me when she was in towne that I would de- 
sire to be provided of answer from you for her 
against she come. She desired to know, if Sir 
William Curteen asked what portion you would 
demand, what she should say. We looke for her 
every day; and my cosin Meautys's man put me 
in hope I should see you here between this and 
Easter, which was very welcome newes to me. I 
have enquired after matches in other places if this 
should faile, but can hear of none but some of the 
nobility, which I harkened not to, becaus I thinke 
you desire not to match with them ; yet thear was 
one Lord whoes daughters weare so much co- 
mended to me that I did not absolutely denie it, 
but thought good to let you know. It is my Lord 
of Bridgwater ; * and Sir Henry St George is he 
propounded it, whoe is well acquainted with him, 
and thinkes he will give six thousand pounds. 

* John, Earl of Bridgewater, President of Wales, had issue by the 
Lady Frances Stanley, second daughter and coheir of Ferdinand Earl 
of Derby, four sons and eleven daughters, of which number he saw 
seven honourably married before his decease in 1649. They were 
the young persons for whom Milton wrote the Masque of Comus, on 
the occasion of one of them, Lady Alice Egerton, having been lost in 
Haywood Forest. 



214 

When you come I hope you will met with one to 
your liking, which I hope will be shortly ; till 
which time, and ever, I am and will be 
Your humble servant, 

Dorothe Randolph. 

[1629.] 

cxxxv. 

mr. long to jane lady bacon. 

Good Madam, 

I lately harde from yo r La p , & thereby gained 
the oportunity to send to yo r La p , and w th all to 
signify vnto you, that att twoe several tymes I 
received from yo r La p twoo several somes of money, 
one of 20£ & the other of 66£ 13 s 4 d , and 
bothe theis to the vse of yo r brother, Sir Thomas 
Meautys, to whome I haue lately given and sent 
over by his leivetenent, M r Smithe, a pticuler 
accounte therof. The 66£ 13 s 4 d was for redeem- 
inge of plate, & Smith sayde to pawne here in 
Cheapesyde ; & the 20 £ was to procure men for 
the furnishing of his companye; the men, plate 
erringes are all sent him over by M r Smythe, his 
leivetenente, accordinge to his owne request : &, 
besides all this, I gaue a perticuler receipt vnder 
my hande for the receipt of theis somes when I 
received them. Nowe, Madam, for Sir Thomas 
his braue boye, to whome you haue beene more 
then an aunte, naye, in the place of a mother : 



215 

my wief, who duely remembers her vnto you, doth 
desire to lett yo r Lap knowe, that her pretty 
charge hath had iij or iiij or fyttes of an ague 
lately, & whether it will proceede any further or 
not she knoweth not; butt itt is a daynty fine 
childe & bravely improoued, God bless him ! the 
better for his good aunte's allowannces, as I haue 
att large written over into the Lowe Countreys, 
and made bolde to deale playnly w th Sir Thomas 
Meautys in those mistakes that are betwixt him & 
yo r La p ; albeitt I doe itt not to nourishe any 
difference, yett playne deallinge is a Jewell, & 
ought to be vsed amongest ffreindes. A little be- 
fore the deathe of the late Earle of Sussex I made 
bolde to present the childe (beinge then att my 
house) to his Lop, who dealt liberally w th the nurse 
that brought him, and putt him downe a legacy of 
300^ in his will: herof & v of the rest I thought 
fytt to giue yo r La p an accounte, as my wief is & 
wil be ready to giue yo r La? a more pticuler ac- 
counte of the disbursem* of all yo r money when 
you shall please. And euen thus, w th both o r best 
respects to yo r good Lap in the best manner re- 
membred, I take my leaue. 

Yo r La p ' s to doe you seruice, 

Longe. 

This 17 th of Nouemb', 1629. 

To the righte wor th the Lady Bacon, att her house in Suffolke, 
theis : at Culford in Suff. by Bury. 



216 



CXXXVI. 

t. meautys to jane lady bacon. 
My noble Lady and Cosin, 

I cannot tell what to conceaue of it that I haue 
neuer a friend left at Broome that will vouchsafe 
mee a lyne or two touching the state of yo r health, 
w ch is soe pretious vnto mee, and the recouery 
wherof I soe affectionatly long for. I wrote to yo r 
Lapp the last weeke, and sent it inclosed in one to 
S r Fredrick. I mett w th M r Long, whoe tould 
mee that S r Rich. Burnaby* was dead, and that 
the Lady would now take home yo r godsonne into 
hir care; but that, this beeing but discourse as 
yett, when it grewe to bee resolued on hee woulde 
advertize yo u therof by letter. Yt is currantly re- 
ported that both Colonell Morgan f and the King of 
Sweeden haue giuen a blowe of noe small conse- 
quence in seuerall places to the Empero r,s forces ; 
this I had more perticularly from S r James Fuller- 
ton yesterday, at dynner, at my Lord of Cleue- 
land's. I rest, 

Yo r LaPP' s for euer to loue and serue you, 

T. M. 

[Nov* 1629.] 



* The father of Lady Meautys. 

+ Sir Charles Morgan, who had been sent, in 1626, with 6000 
English troops, to augment the army of the King of Denmark when 
acting against the Imperialists. 



217 



CXXXVII. 

the same to the same. 

My ever best and deerest Lady, 

Yt is harder, I perceave, to gett an invitacion 
from your LaPP then a welcome ; witness your last, 
which turned the invitacion I bespoke in myne 
into an expostulacyon, not invited or drawn on by 
any thing in my letter to your LaPP, rightly or 
friendly interpreted. But letting that passe as you 
please to understand it, I come now to tell you 
somewhat of what we doe hear. In my last I tould 
you of the restraint of some noblemen and others 
about a discourse of a pernicious nature that had 
passed from hand to hand, teaching a king by the 
examples of forraine tiranyes to oppresse his sub- 
jects, and to rayse moneyes without parlaments. 
This being conceaved to be a malevolent devise of 
some ill affected persons to putt envy upon the 
King and state in a time when sinister impressions 
are easily entertayned, as yf the King intended to 
goe those wayes, hath caused a proceeding in Star 
Chamber against those Lords and others, whoe are 
now at liberty to follow theyr cause, and are ready 
to putt in theyr answers.* On Monday the King 
feasted the Queene, and solemnized hir birthday 
with running at ring and other triumphs. Yester- 

* See note to page 220. 



218 

day being the King's birthday, the K. feasted 
him againe at Denmarke House. The last weeke, 
my Lady Cooke's # eldest daughter married, much 
to her mother's discomfort, to Nedde Sidnam, for- 
merly the King's page, now equery. They wear 
married in Whitehall ; and my Lord of Holland and 
my Lord Goring f wear, by the King and Queene's 
appointment, present at it. Thear hath been much 
courting the Lady Cooke sinse, with promises from 
the King to make Sidnam a fortune woorthy hir 
daughter : last night my Lord of Holland brought 
hir some fruit therof, viz. a graunt of 600^ a year 
fee farm for both theyr lives, and an assurance of a 
present of 600£ woorth of juells from the Queene. 
Y r LaPP ,s all and ever, T. M. 

Yt beginnes to be currently spoken and believed 
that the Queene is with childe. 

[Nok 20, 1629.] 



CXXXVIII. 

the same to the same. 

My ever best Lady and Cosin, 

My last to your Lapp, being rightly interpreted, 
was rather a bemoaning of my owne misfortune 
then reproving another's faulte. This comes to 

* See page 132. 

*f* George Lord Goring, created a Baron in 1628, and advanced to 
the Earldom of Norwich in 1635. 



219 

give you thankes that you have at length been 
pleased to impart soe much of your minde to mee 
as gives mee ayme whear to find you when I 
shall bee at liberty to waite on you, whearin if I 
fayle toward the end of the terme, I shall indeed 
reckon it among my misfortunes, though your 
La pl> peradventure place it among my faultes; 
neyther will I then, or at any time doubt of my 
welcome, though I meet with nothing in any of 
your letters like an invitation, and though, com- 
paring them with letters from other friends to 
whom I am less professed, full of invitations, they 
seeme to speake colder then they meane, and 
mought somtimes a little trouble mee did I not 
conclude that it wear alike erroneous to judge of 
the store and inside of your affections and cordial- 
nes to your friend by the outside of your expres- 
sions, as to judge of the stores of a rich goldsmith 
or jeweller by that onely which appeares upon his 
stall toward the streete. And now, my dearest 
Cosin and friend, fearing to renew those paines of 
your head by the reading of thease, which wear soe 
troublesome to you at the writing of your last, I 
forbear to say for the present any thing else in 
thease then what my heart now and at all times 
inforceth mee to say, namely, that I am really all 

and ever 

Your La pp,s to serve you, T. M. 

November [1629], 

I 2 



220 

You may peradventure hear of commitments* of 
my Lo. of Clare to the B p of Winchester, my Lo. 
of Somersett to the B p of London, my Lo. of Bed- 
ford to the M r of the Roules, Sir Rob. Cotton and 
one M r S t John, a lawyer, to other places, which 
is all true ; the cause not yett apparent, voyced ge- 
nerally to bee for some writing or discourse passed 
from hand to hand, counterprerogative and sediti- 
ous, now discovered. Our Parlement men shall, 
they say. be proceeded with speedily upon an in- 
formacion in the King's Bench. 

For yo r hon d self, deere Madam. 



CXXXIX. 

dorothe randolph to jane lady bacon. 

My most honored Lady, 

When I resaued your letter on Thursday, that 
I might giue you the better acount of the busines, 
I went to deliuer my Lady Barrington's letter my 
selfe, whome I could not meete with at home, but 
found her at a ladie's, wheare thare was soe much 

* For a circumstantial account of this most tyrannical proceeding, 
the reader is referred to Kennett's History of England, toL iiL p. 62 ; 
"\YifFen*s House of Russell, toL ii. p. 141 ; and Rushworth's Histori- 
cal Collections, vol. i. Appendix, p. 12 ; in which the supposed libel 
is printed, written, as it turned out, seventeen years before, at Florence, 
by Sir Robert Dudley, and approved by James I. The cause came on 
for hearing, in the Star Chamber, May 29. 1630, vrhen the King sig- 
tbe C i ::. that as the Queen had given birth to a Prince of 
Wales, it was not his -wish to proceed further in the prosecution. 



221 

company I could not speake with her as I desired ; 
but I find by her shee meanes to doe you the best 
seruis she can in that busines. She intends to 
speake with S r William Curtene spedily, and to 
wright you word how she prosedes: and, becaues 
she goeth out of toune shortly, I desired her, if she 
found the father forward in the busines, shee would 
let him know in her absens I could informe him 
of any thing, or M r Randolph, if she thought him 
fitter; to which shee made answer she would study 
the best way, for shee did not more truly desire to 
serue any body. Shee cometh to toune againe the 
next tearme, and then I hope what is now begune 
will then hapily be ended, for which I shall be 
as truly glad as if it conserned my selfe. I doubt 
not but S r Fredrick and S r William Plaiters are 
long before this safely with you, and that my cosen 
will stay theare till some good ocasion bring you 
to toune ; which I hope will be shortly, for, sins my 
mother's ocasions denies me yet the coming to you, 
I will pleaes my selfe with an expectation of see- 
ing you heare, and will be heare and euery wheare 
Euer your faithfull and humble seruant, 

Dorothe Randolph. 

London, this 1st of Desember [1629]. 

My mother presents her seruis to your Ladeship, 
and is yet not gone one step forward in her busines, 
but rests at my Lord Treasoror's unmersifull mercy. 



222 

CXL. 

t. meautys to jane lady bacon. 
My euer best and dearest Lady, 

I recaued by this messenger, a seruant of my 
brother Claxton's,* an earnest sumons to come to 
Liueremore vpon the death of the ould man,f 
whearof they aduertized mee, pretending it con- 
cerned them to haue a friend at hand to aduize 
w th all as things now stand ; but, it soe falling out 
that I must necessarily bee at London on Wed- 
densday next at the furdest, I haue ouerruled my 
self and my desires, (though not w th out some diffi- 
culty,) considering that Culford is in my way to 
Liuermore, in taking a journey to gratify my 
friends thear, and hope it may suffize for theyr 
affayres to recomend to S r Drue| (w ch I haue 
doon by letter) the care of them as there shall bee 
occasion, desiring yo r Lapp, when yo u see him next, 
to second my recomendacon thearin by the power 
yo u haue ouer him. I comend yo r LaP? and all yo rs , 
my dear and precious cosins, to God's goodnes 
and protection, and remayne noe lesse by affections 
then by obligacons Yo r La pp,s all and euer, 

T. Meautys. 

Toddington, this 7 th of Decem br [1629]. 
For yo r dearest self. 



* Vide Meautys's Pedigree. 

+ " John Claxton, Esq. was buried Januarie 26, 1619." — Regis- 
ter of Great Livermere. This entry not according with the date of 
the letter, probably the ould man survived a short time after Meautys 
had been sent for. % Sir Drue Drury. 



223 

CXLI. 
judith lady barrington* to jane lady bacon. 
Madam, 

It is much your goodnes if I am not within 
your censure of too much negligence that I have 
not all this while given you some account of that 
employment you honored me withall, whearin my 
intentions wear soe reall to serve you, that I was 
loth to saye any thing untill I wear better satisfied, 
which I expected to have found in more forwardnes 
then I see, although I gave them time to consider 
of it from the end of last terme till now ; and, 
although I have but a little while to staye now in 
London, I sett this afternoone apart for a visett 
thear, that I might thorowly understand their re- 
solutions, which are, that the daughter must not 
think of marriage untill her brother's returne from 
France, which will be this springe. Soe I alto- 
gether concealed our name and urdged no further, 
because we have little reason to undervalue our- 
selves soe much as to importune that which so 
much deserves to be mett at least half way in. If 
hearafter you please thear shall be any renuing of 
this begining, I shall be faithfull at your corhand, 
professing seriously I should thinke myselfe happy 

* Daughter of Sir Rowland Lytton, of Kneb worth, Herts, Bart, 
and widow of Sir George Smith, of Annables, Knt. ; remarried, in 1624, 
Sir Thomas Barrington, Bart, of Barrington Hall, Essex, to whom 
she was second wife. He died 1644, and she in 1657, s. p. 



224 

in nothinge more then in those actions that might 
express mee 

Your Ladyship's most affectionate servant, 

Ju. Barrington. 

[1629.] 

To my most honored Lady the Lady Bacon, in Suffolke at Broome, 
this. 

CXLII. 

dorothe randolph to jane lady bacon. 
My most honored Lady, 

The Lady Barrington made soe short a stay in 
London after the receipt of your letter, that shee 
could doe littell in the busines: what shee did I 
hope she hath or will shortly let you know, yet I 
thought fitt to tell you what I know conserning it 
from her. Shee went to the father and tould him 
that out of her loue to him, and the good opinion 
she had of his daughter, she came to propound a 
worthy match to him for her, which she knew he 
would giue her thanckes for, when he knew wher 
it was ; which before he should doe, she desired to 
know if she weare free, or he had noe treaty with 
any for her, to which he replied, he could not yet 
giue her any answer, but retorned her many 
thankes for her offer, though I thinke he knew not 
whoe it was she wished him. She is extreame 
sory she could doe noe more in it now ; but at the 
next tearme she will be heare againe, and then 
shee tould me she would doe you the best seruis she. 
could : in the meane time, if I heare of any other, I 



225 

will lett you know of it, for I doe most ernestly 
desire to se him maried, becaues I persaued a 
wandring humor in him when he was at London, 
and a resolution this spring to goe into France, yet 
not without your leaue, as he saied. I resaued this 
muff from my cosen Copinger* latly, and, sins you 
weare pleased to like the other that came from 
thens, I venture to present this to you, and with it 
the best seruis of 

Your most louing, faithfull, and humbell seruant, 
Dorothe Randolph. 

Desember 7 [1629]. 

CXLIII. 

the same to the same. 
My most honored Lady, 

I much wonder the Lady Barrington reseaved 
so drie an answer from Curtene, for shee was very 
confident it would have bene thankfully enter- 
tained, and that an extraordinary portion would 
have bene given, because shee knew he gave five 
thousand pounds with a daughter to one that had 

* In Chitting MS. the following pedigree of Coppinger, of Buxall, 
Suffolk, occurs, showing the connexion between the families : — 
Henry Coppinger, of Buxall in —Agnes, dau. of Sir Thomas 
Suffolk, 1561. I Jermyn, of Rushbrook. 



I I 

Thomas—. . . dau. of Lord Ursula, married to 

Coppinger. I Cobham. . . , Randall. 



William. Francys, mar. Elizabeth, dau. of . . . Randall, 

s. p. of London. 

l5 



226 

but twelve hundred pounds a year, and shee 
thought he would give ratably according to the 
estate : but this is the cause, I perseave, why he 
makes a stay ; he hath a brother latly dead in the 
Low Contryes, and his sone is gone thither to see 
how things are, and till his retorne he will conclude 
of nothing, for it is reported he hath left him forty 
or fifty thousand pounds, and then he will looke 
very hie for his daughters; yet Lady Barrington 
said he gave her many thankes and did not at all 
refues, but made a stay; but it is not worth your 
further expectation. I hope a better will come in 
your way in the meane time ; and, if a good offer 
comes, I presume you will not delay it, for it is 
hard to meet with one whose person and portion is 
without exseption. If some such good occasion 
bring you not to town, I intend, if pleas God to 
give me leave, to waight on you at Culford be- 
tween this and Easter 

Your most faithful and humble servant, 

Dorothe Randolph. 

[1629-30.] 

To my most honored frend the Lady Bacon, at her howes at Cul- 
ford, present this. 



CXLIV. 

the same to the same. 
My most honored Lady, 

I am most hartely sorry to heare you are soe ill 
as your letter tells me, which I reseaved with the 



227 

dainty pott of jely, for which, as for the rest of 
your favors, I can only retorne thankes and con- 
tinue constantly yours. I sent a letter to you last 
weeke, fastened to a little box, which I make ques- 
tion whether you reseaved or noe, becaus I heard 
nothing. Ther was some busines concerning my 
Lady Barrington, who will be in towne by the time 
this letter come to you ; and I know not whether 
your resolution hould conserning the match she 
propounded or noe, and I am suer she will aske 
me whether she shall prosede in it, which I will 
say nothing to till I hear from you. I heare of 
a very prety gentillwoman that hath six hundred 
pounds a year, and her father and mother dead; 
but ther is eighteen hundred pounds to be paid to 
her grandmother for her wardship, some of it. If 
you like of this, I think ther might be meanes found 
to propound it. M r Randolph went to see her, 
and comends her for very hansome, and sixteen 
years ould. My mother is very ill with the gout, 
I am afraid I shall not enjoy her long. Thus, 
with my faithful love recommended to you, I rest, 
Your Ladyship's humble serv', 

Dorothe Randolph. 

[1629-30.] 

To my most honored frend the Lady Bacon, Culford. 



228 

CXLV. 
t. meautys to jane lady bacon. 
My ever best Lady and Cosin, 

I rejoyse to perceave by your last that you are 
journey proofe, it giving us hope hear that we may 
ere long see you at London, whearof when you 
shall vouchafe to give me light, or think me 
worthy the knowledge, I shall as gladly waite on 
you part of the way, as be ready to serve you while 
I remayne hear, or while I remayne in this world, 
and that with those affections whearwith I have 
long since vowed myself 
Yo r La pp,s all and ever to serve you and yours, 

T. Meautys, 

Feb'y 19 [1629-30]. 

Madam, I gladly kissed the outside as well as 
the inside of your letter, as supposing the super- 
scription to be my cosin Anne's handwriting.* If 
I wear mistaken, lett the next make me amends, 
or ells she is still in my debt for the well meaning 
of it. 

CXLVI. 

bridget long to jane lady bacon. 
Good Madam, 

Havinge lately received letters from Sir Thomas 
Meautys touchinge his little sonne, that eyther yo r 
La? will take him into yo r care, or els that he be 

* He afterwards married the young lady. 



229 

sent over to him, as also that a some of 8 1 ' of his, 
w ch fell out to remaine in M r Longe's handes & 
was kept for the vse of the nurse, shold be deliuer- 
ed to this bearer, his sergeaunt, I haue thought itt 
my parte, in discharge of that that I do and haue 
vndertaken for the childe, to move yo r LaP y t you 
wold please (if itt may stand w th yo r lykeinge) to 
take the childe to yo r custody, or if there be, as 
padventure there may be, some raason why you 
shold not, then to give yo r advice what shalbe 
done w th itt, for I will haue no hande in sendinge 
itt to sea, where I dare not goe my self; and that 
whereas about Michellmas last yo r LaP sent me 5 li 
to provide for him w th all, I haue layde out aboue 
half of itt for clothes for him, & made accounte 
to laye oute that 8 11 of his father's about the childe, 
w ch he now sends for to be deliuered to his ser- 
geaunt, & I haue accordingly lett him haue 3 1 ', 
w ch is all that is left either of yo r LaP' s 5 n or his 8 U , 
& so you may perceive I am a bare boorde, wherof 

1 thought fytt to acquainte yo r La p that such further 
order may be taken as you shall thinke meete. 
And thus, w th myne & M r Longe's our hartye 
thankes to yo r LaP for yo r remembraunce of vs, and 
myne moste p r ticuler for the gloues yo r Lap sent 
me, I take my leave. Yo r LaP's to comannde, 

BltlDGETT LONGE. 

2 April 1630. 

To the very worthy lady, her very good freinde, 
the Lady Bacon, theis. 



230 

CXLVII. 

sir f. cornwallis to jane lady bacon. 

My deare Mother, 

When I consider in what a contradictorie waie 
I haue gone to your La pp ' s commands and my one 
ingagments, I cannot but bee extremly troubbled 
at my one misfortune, in that it appears to you 
(and I confesse it may verie well appeare so) that 
I am the worst of children to the best of mothers ; 
yet I beeseech your La pp bee pleased once more 
to give mee leave to bege that by my letters which 
I had rather a great deale doe upon my kneese, 
(but that I feare my sight wold bee rather a cause 
of adding more affliction unto you, then of reastor- 
ing my selfe to my selfe by your pardon,) which is, 
that your La pP would be pleased to forgive this last 
act* of mine, it beeing done by the commands of 
the King and the Queene, whoo had appointed the 
time at mie last beeing in the countrie, it not 
beeing in my power to alter it, espetially at that 
time both of them beeing pleased to express there 
favor so farre as to give us a i?1000 for ievells, 
and 6^2000 in monie, all which with our selves we 
shall bee readie to cast downe at your La pp ' s feete, 
and bee holie at your La pp ' s disposing. I beseech 
you doe not cast of and lose your childe, who 
neither can nor will bee happie without your La pp,s 
favor, and whoo with that regained will ever strive 

* His marriage. 



and I hope shall prove to bee as great a com- 
fort as heether tow hee hath proved otherwise ; this 
is the onelie act which hath manifested mee to bee 
as you please to tearme it your unnaturall childe. 
This now beeing finished, your La pp shall not bee 
so readie to command as I shall bee studious to 
obay ; thearfore for God's sake, and for your poore 
child's sake, who once had the happinesse to bee 
dearly loved by you, bee pleased to restore mee to 
your favor, and make us both so happie as to give 
us leave to fech you either at Newmarket or at 
Broome ; which beeing done, I make no question 
but wee shall have cause to say and thinke, that 
noe children are more blessed in a mother, and I 
hope your La pp will thinke noe mother happier in 
children. And now, deare mother, hoping and 
praying for that happie hower, I restt, and ever 

shall, 

Your most obedient sonne, 

F. CORNWALLEIS. 

[January 1630-31.] 

For my ever honored Ladie and Mother the Ladie Bacon. 



CXLVIII. 

elizabeth lady cornwallis to jane lady bacon. 
Madam, 

Both dutie and desire dooth, by the asshurans 
that your soon hath euer gifen me of your La l,1s 
goodnes and loue to him, giue me confidens by 
thes to beg your blessinge and his pardon, hoo 



232 

thinks himselfe most vnhappy in your La p ' s dis- 
plesure, which I most humbly beseech yo r La p to 
forgeef to him, that so much loufs and honors you 
as that, withthout your La p ' s loue and fauor restorde 
to him, hee will neuer ioye in any thing ether 
hee dooth ore shall posses ; therfor, I besech your 
La p , let vs not any loungger suffer the want of 
that which will make vs so infinitly happy: and 
thoue, by want of the good fortune of being known 
to your La p , I coulde not hitherto hope of any fauor 
from you, yet now my indeuors shall euer bee 
such towards you as that I will all wais aprooue 
my selfe to bee 

Yo r La p ' s most obedient daughter and humble 
saruant, Eliza Cornwalleis. 

[1630-31.] 

Madam, if your La p will be plesed to make vs 
so happie as to let vs know when we shall haue 
the honor of seing you heare, we will com down to 
fetch you vp, or wait of yo r La p whersoeuer you 
will apoynt; and so ons more I kis your hands, and 
by all humble intreattis beg your La p ' s pardon. 

For my much honored mother the Lady Bacon, thes. 



CXLIX. 

the same to the same. 
Madame, 

Coming to see my cosen Randolph, shee gave 
me incurragment that by lines ons more to tender 



233 

my humble respects to your La p wold not bee ill 
taken ; which if I may have the happines to know 
from you, I shall not faile in this sarvis, or any 
that I think your La p will exsepte of. And for the 
last letter I sent you, I ashure your La p your 
sonne had no hand in it, for it was written before 
he came home, and sent to the carrier's after he 
was gon, and so I gave it to my cosen Randolph to 
send ; being very sorry that it was your La p ' s pie- 
sure to give ocasion to wright to you in that style, 
for ther was nothing more contrary to my will, 
and I hope it shall bee the last in that kind that 
shall pas between us : but while you are plesed to 
stand at this distans, I feare my husband will not 
do that which his hart most desirs, for he does 
ashure himself that affection you ons had to him is 
clear gon, and that it is hopeles for him to seek 
your love. I hope by your goodnes thes doughts 
shall bee taken away ; and if the King and Queen's 
promis to yourselfe, of doing that for us as soon as 
they can, will bee any satisfaction to your La p , I 
will procure them to you, if your La p,s ocasion 
bring you to town, wher I shall be happy with 
your sonne to wait on you; or else I am afraid 
you will not meet a great while, for he dares not 
com down any more: therfore I shall wish for 
som good ocasion that may bring you together, 
and make a harty frendshippe amongst us. But 
give me leave, I besech you, but not to hinder the 



234 

speediest that I can getting of what we have pro- 
mised to your La p , to wish that the frendshipp 
might be before, otherwise I must confes to your 
La p that I shall not joy in it ; and give me leave 
to say, that you will do yourselfe as much right as 
you will give your sonn comfort and happines. 
But your La p is wise, and knows what is fittest for 
you ; and I can but wish you the greatest happines, 
which I shall ever wish, that am 

Yo r La p,,s , if you pies to exsept it, affectionate 
and obedient daughter, 

E. CoRNWALLEIS. 

1630-31. 

For my honored mother the Lady Bacon, at her house at Broome, 
these. 



CL. 

THE KING TO JANE LADY BACON. 
TO OUR TRIJSTIE AND WELBELOVED LADY BACON, 

Charles R. 

Trustie and well beloved, we greete you well. 
In o r gratious favo r to a faithfull and worthie ser- 
vant to o r dearest consort, wee were pleased to 
hono r yo r Sonne's marriage both with o r royall 
presence and by admittinge the ceremonie to be 
done in a place where none have accesse but such 
as the Kinge purposeth to hono r . Hereby wee 
doubt not but (as you have just cause) you have 



235 

receyved much comfort ; and to increase it further, 
by removeing all misprision, w h by the shortnesse 
of tyme governed by o r affaires might happen, 
wee hereby will you to attend us at Newmarkett, 
whither wee purpose speedilye to repaire, and 
where you shall understand o r further pleasure 
and grace towardes yo r selfe and yo r son. 

Given at o r court at Whitehall, the fourth day 
of January, in the sixt year of o r reigne, 

[1630-31.] Sealed with the royal anna. 



CLI. 

THE QUEEN TO JANE LADY BACON. 

TO OUR TRUSTIE AND RIGHT WELL BELOVED 
THE LADY BACON. 

Henriette Marie R. 

Right trustie and right well beloved, we greet 
you well. Having taken into o r particulare care 
and contemplation the good of your sonne, Sir 
Frederick, in regard of his matching with one who 
serves us in a place of such nearnes, wee cannot 
but be very soary to understand that you are dis- 
pleased with him for doing that wherby he hath 
made himself so pleasing and acceptable to us. 
Hence it is that wee have thought ourselfe tied 
both in honor and charitie to desire you that you 
wold not, out of any misconstruction of his pro- 
ceedings, continue to withdrawe your countenance 



236 

frome him, but at our intercession vouchafe to look 
upon him with the eye of a mother ; assuring your- 
self that the gracious intentions which wee carrye 
towards our servant and his wife shall extend 
themselfs in so large a measure, both towards him 
and towards you (if you will make use of them), 
as at last your owne good nature will acknolledge 
that your sonne could not have taken a better 
course, eyther for his owne advancement or for 
your satisfaction, then that wherein he is for the 
present. And so much you may beleeve from the 
mouth of this bearere, one of the gentlemen ushers 
of our privie chamber, untill you heare it from our 
owne, which, if you do not frustrat the King's 
expectation, may be before wee go from hence ; 
till when, and ever, wee committ you to the pro- 
tection of the Almightie. 

Given under o r hand at Newmarket, this four 
and twenteth day of January [1630-31]. 



CLII. 

THE SAME TO THE SAME. 

TO O r RIGHT TRUSTIE AND RIGHT WELL BELOVED 
THE LADY BACON. 

Henriette Marie R. 

Right trustie and right well beloved, we greete 
you well. Wee are so sensible of the respect 
that you have shewed to o r request, in receyving 



237 

againe your sonne into yo r favor, that wee cannot 
chuse but let you know that wee take it very 
thankfully at your hands. If wee can prevaile 
but this much further with you, that you will 
extend the same kindnes towards your daughter 
in law, and so receive them both into yo r motherly 
care, you shall put such an obligation upon us as 
wee shall never forget, but remember upon all 
occasions wherein our favour can be of any use 
unto you ; and, with this assurance, wee committ 
you to the protection of the Almightie. 

Given under o r hand at Newmarket, this one 
and thirty day of January [1630-31].* 



CLIN. 

the countess of denbigh f to jane lady bacon. 

Maddam, 

Though I have not the honor to be acquainted 
with you, yet I must give you thankes for this 
favour that you bestow uppon my deare cosen in 
intertaining her for your daughter, in whome, be- 
fore it be longe, I know you will thinke yourselfe 
happy ; and though her family be unfortunate,:}: yet 

* The signatures of the King and Queen only, are autographic. 
These three letters have been printed in a note to the History of 
Audley End. 

t Susan, daughter of Sir George Villiers and sister to the Duke of 
Buckingham, married to William first Earl of Denbigh. 

$ i. e. in bad circumstances. 



238 

you will find as true an affection as your hart can 
desire: and if there be any thoughts remaine in 
your mind of the disobedience of your sonne, I 
beseech you to blotte it out, and be confident that 
I shall esteeme him as one of my owne, and what 
is in my power shall not be wanting to do him 
service ; and to yourself there lives none that shall 
be more affectionatly yours, 

Your faithful and humble servant, 

S. Denbigh, 

[1630-31.] 

For my deare and worthy freinde the La. Bacon, these. 



CLIV. 

elizabeth lady cornwallis to jane lady bacon. 

Deere Madame, 

As I concluded with your La p at my coming 
from you, so will I continue to pray to God to 
give you helth and us your favor, in which we 
shall bee at the highte of our ambytion, to the 
obtaning wherof we shall never willingly omightt 
any thing that may witnes our desiers therto ; and 
to that end I will endevor all I can the speedy 
getting of the 3 thousand pounds which the King 
and Queen hath ben plesed to promis us, the 
which so soon as we have we shall most gladly 
present to your La p ; till when I besech you ex- 
sept of our desiers, and by thes my humble sarvis 



239 

and thanks for the noble welcom and favor which, 
for my gratious mistrise's sake, at this time your 
La p gave me. But, Madam, I hope the next time 
will bee for your sonne and my owne ; in confidens 
wherof I will ever bee, 

Yo r La p ' s most afFectionat daughter to 

comande, E. Cornwalleis. 

[1630-31.] 

Madame, Sir Thomas Stafford, my cosen Vil- 
lers, and M r Elleiot all Ids your La p ' s hands, and 
humbly thank your La p for your coach.* 

For the Lady Bacon, my much honored mother, these. 



CLV. 

ambrose randolph to jane lady bacon. 

Most honoured Lady, 

I knowing youre love to the truth of newse, 
rather then first or common report of it, shall, as 
you wisht me, send you a relation of the King of 
Swedland's great victory, the 7 th of September, as 
it was tould by him that brought the newse to our 
King since my cominge to towne ; an Englishman, 
whoe the King hath now knighted, his name Sir 
John Castell. The 4 th of September last, Tilley 
having taken by force the town of Lipswitch be- 
longing to the Duke of Saxe, he, being puffed up 
with the victory, sent presently to the King of 

* They had all been on a visit at Brome. 



240 

Sweth, and willed the messenger to tell the King 
that now he had nosed and dishonoured him, and 
the 7 th of that month he would be in God's fielde, 
if he durst meete him there. The King of Sweth 
sent him word againe that the loss of Lipswitch 
was noe dishonor to him, for he never had the pro- 
tection thereof, nor any thing to doe with it ; and 
as for meeting him in the fielde, he, being a King, 
would not be at the calle of a dog, for so he ever 
esteemed of him since his inhumane cruelty at 
Megelberge,* yet it was twenty to one he would 
be on that fielde the same day. Thereupon Tilly 
with his army of 44 thousand was first in the 
field ; then came the King of Sweth with 38 thou- 
sand, and the Duke of Saxe with 12 thousand, 
whoe led the vanguard and gave the onsett upon 
Tilly ; but he speedily drove the Duke and all his 
men out of the field, except three of his regi- 
ments. Which the King of Sweth seeing, presently 
assaulted that part of Tilly's armie where his artil- 
lery was, yet he had the repulse for awhile ; but 
at the last the King took the artillery and turned 
it upon Tilly's men, and so routed them all, and 
slew in the field 12 thousand, and tooke 7 thou- 
sand prisoners: which newse the Duke of Saxe 
hearing, came back againe, and gave the King 
three horses laden with gold, and promised to paye 
his army 5 months. When this messenger came 

* Magdeburgh. 



241 

away, that saw all the fight, Tilly was alive, and 
had been prisoner half an houre, but, being un- 
known, escaped, hurt in the neck, arme, and shoul- 
der, which his chyrurgeon, who is now prisoner, 
sayeth doth gangrene so that he cannot live.* 
There remaynes yet 22 thousand of Tilly's men, 
but it is not known whoe is their commander. 
The King of Sweth is come from Frankford, which 
towne doth now contribute to him, and neare the 
Palatinat. It is sayd that the Lord Craven f hath 
bought armes for two thousand men, and that he 
will goe to the King. It is feared that Marquis 
Hambeldon J hath lost many, if not most of his men, 
by sicknes. Colonel Morgan is made governour of 
Bergen up some. Sir Francis Nethersole and his 
Lady are come to towne; they landed at Yar- 
mouth, and meant to have seen your Ladyship, 
but were hindered by some disaster. My wife, 
with myselfe, present our humble services and 
many thanks for your constant favors. She went 

* The Count Tilly, though severely wounded at the battle of 
Leipsic, was not taken prisoner ; and subsequently resuming the com- 
mand of the Imperial forces, received a mortal hurt, at the passage of 
the Lech, of which he died, April 30, 1G32. 

t William Lord Craven, celebrated for his military prowess, ad- 
vanced to an Earldom 16th Charles II. He died unmarried in 1697, 
aged 88. 

t James Marquis of Hamilton, who commanded the troops sent to 
the aid of Gustavus Adolphus, in 1630, when only twenty-three years 
old. He was elevated to a dukedom in 1643, and beheaded May 9, 
1649, for taking up arms against the Parliament. 

M 



242 

to her mother, that is not very well, Wensday was 
seavennight ; the Lady Weston * not being come to 
towne, by whose meanes she was in hope to have 
pleasured her mother : but neither she nor myselfe 
can yet get any money, which makes me by force 
to crave your Ladyship's patience for my non 
paiment, having had good words and a promise 
from the Lord Tresorer, which I feare will prove 
slow in performance, as it doth to many others. I 
delivered your LaP' s comands to M r Chitting, whoe 
is a sad man for his cosin Short, and much the 
sadder, he being like to loose some monys that he 
is ingaged to the marchant for him for Twillops-f- 
for him, Sir William Spring and others, which 
came so late to him in his sicknes, that he feares 
they will miscarry e. Thus, most humbly kissing 
your hands, I rest, 

Yo r La p ' s most affectionat servant, desirous 
to be commanded, Ambrose Randolph. 

November the 3 d , 1631. 

The Duke of Vendome and his sonn are landed. 
He was sonne to Henry IV. by Madame Gabriell. 

* Frances, daughter and coheir of Nicholas Walgrave, of Boreley, 
Essex, Lord Weston's second wife, by whom he had four sons and as 
many daughters. 

f The meaning of this sentence is not obvious, though the words 
are clear in the MS. 



243 



CLVI. 

the same to the same. 
Most honored Ladye, 

Understanding this second time, not without 
some wonder, how frustrat your La?' 3 expectations 
of my letters hath beene by reason of the messen- 
ger's neglect rather then my owne, I am now de- 
termined to transgress by troubling you with 
them rather then still be thought unmindfull of 
that duty which I must ever acknowledge most 
due to your La p , that being the only and best ex- 
pression I can make to so noble a freinde. I 
therfore omitting to speake of the new reformation 
on the King and Queen's side in this court, and of 
the Kinge's voyage into Scotland about the midst 
of Aprill next, with the Queene's bringing him to 
Yorke, if not further, and his going to Newmarket 
in March; as also of the Duke de Vandome's 
goinge on Monday next to Bagshaws* to hunt for 
a weeke, and of his Lady's coming hither; all which 
I doubt not but your Ladyship hath heard of, if 
not of the great preparation of the Painted Cham- 
ber for the Marshall's Court f there apointed to 
sitt, with the Lord Leynsey, Constable, and divers 

* Bagshot. 

*f* The proceedings in the Court of Chivalry on this occasion are 
fully detailed in Rushworth's Historical Collections, vol. ii. p. 112, &c. ; 

M 2 



244 

others, to judge the lawfulnes of single combats, 
and then, if it be thought fitt to proceed that way 
with the L ds Massey and Ramsey, to apoint the 
time, place, and weapon; all which will be on 
Thursday next, or the Thursday after the tearme. 
Pure discourse here now is of the great overthrow 
the Hollanders have given the Spanyards in the 
West Indies, where they have sunk and dispersed 
the Spanish fleet they went to meet, so that it can- 
not be agayne repaired in many yeares, and have 
taken 2 very rich carracks. Of the Kinge of Sweth- 
land's continewed victorys I sent word in my 
former letter, if not of the present he sent Sir 
Tho. Roe, it being valewed at four and twenty 
hundred pounds, if it continew not still copper, 
but be turned into plate, as the King comanded; 
for he sent as much copper as was worth 3000^?, 
with a letter which he esteemes farr above the 
present, wherein the King did thanke him for his 
good counsell and perswasions, # to which, next 
under God's owne hand, he doth impute all his 

the inquiry terminated, by the King's committing the parties at issue, 
Donald Lord Reay, and David Ramsay, to the Tower, till they gave 
security to keep the peace towards each other. 

* Sir Thomas Roe had advised Gustavus to make the descent 
upon Germany, which led to the battle of Leipsic. He was success- 
fully employed on divers embassies ; and being chosen for Oxford 
University, in 1640, showed himself a person of great eloquence, 
learning, and experience ; but he survived only to 1644, 



245 

happy proseedinge : to whose best protection I 
committ your Ladyship, resting 

Your most humble and affectionat serv*, 

Ambrose Randolph. 

Novemb. 17 [1631]. 

Your window cushill shall be sent by M r Morse. 



CLVII. 

sir f. cornwallis to jane lady bacon. 

My deare Mother, 

In obedience to your La p,s comands I take the 
libertie to tell you that my wife and my selve, with 
all we have, are verie well, thanks be to God ! and 
a great deale the better since we heard of your 
good health, which we shall both pray may con- 
tinue to make him happy, who is 

Your most affectionate and obedient sonne, 

F. CORNWALLEIS. 

I humbly thanke you, sweet Maddam, for the 
monie you weare pleased to send me by M r Morse. 
Maddam, heere is noe newes but of the duelists, 
who they say must fight. I and some of my fel- 
lowes are comanded to goe to Winsor with the 
Duke of Vandome on Monday, to hunt all the 
weeke the stag. 

[Nov r 1631.] 



246 

CLVIII. 

dorothe randolph to jane lady bacon. 

My most honored Lady, 

Though I writ soe latlye by the carier, that my 
letters will tread upon one another's heeles, yet I 
coulde not negleckt the presenting of my seruis to 
you, hauing soe fitt a messenger as S r Fredrick's 
man, which he sent to me ; but him selfe I saw not 
sins the day he came to London from Brome, 
therfore can say nothing of him, but that I hope 
he continewes in the same minde and dutifull re- 
speckt to you that he profest the last time I spake 
with him. I cannot but hope to see you at Lon- 
don shortly, where I feare I shall be inforsed to 
stay till the end of next tearme, to se if I can 
bring my mother's busines to some thing, for yet 
we have done littil, by reson my Lady Weston was 
out of toune and soe could never come to have my 
Lord and shee together. I am in hope to bring 
my housband at last to the busines you sent for 
him to Brome, for conserning his eastate; which 
if he doe, I shall thinke it worth my jornye, and 
when it is done I shall wish my selfe with you. 
In the meane time, where soeuer I am, I am and 
euer will be, Your Ladiship's faithfull frend 
and humble seruant, 
Dorothe Randolph. 

[1631-2.] 
To my most honored frend the Lady Bacon. 



247 

CLIX. 

the same to the same. 

My most honored Lady, 

Of the busines I most desire I can as yet give 
you the least acount, for I have not seene eyther 
Sir Frederick or his Lady sins I came to towne, 
onlie ons him in Hide Park with a company of 
gentlewomen in a coach ; he came and inquired of 
your health and my cosin's, and that was all that 
passed: but he was ons to see me when I was 
from home; and I beleve shortly she will come to 
me, for I heard she did intend it, but she was ill of 
a soare throat and the tooth-ache. Some say she 
is with child. I ons thought to have gone to 
Grenwich to her because she was not well, but 
sins I resolved to stay and see what they would 
doe. The King's being at Grenwich hath made 
every bodie almost leave London, that I am put to 
a great deale of troble to find out those that should 
ende my mother's busines, and the more becaus I 
have bin ill after the manner I was, ever sins I left 
your Ladiship at Brome. My Lady Barrington is 
not in towne, nor will be this tearme; but M r 
Randolph has promised I shall come that way as I 
come downe againe, which shall be as soon as I can. 
My cosen Peter Meautys * hath your letters and a 
copie of the paper you sent ; he staies but for a 

* A son of Thomas Meautys, of West Ham, and Elizabeth 
Conyngsby. 



248 

winde. I spake to M rs West, who desired me to 
retorne you humble thanks for your favour and 
bounty to her and her nece; her house will be 
emty within a fortnight, she saith, if pleas you to 
comand it. I have sent you some patterns of stuff 
such as is worne by many, but not much laes upon 
those wrought stufs ; but the newest fashion is 
plaine satine, of what collor one will, imbroydered 
all over with alcomedes, but it is not like to hould 
past summer. They weare whit sattine wascots, 
plaine, rased, printed, and some imbroydered with 
laes, more then any one thing, and whit holland 
ones much. M r Chitting comends his services to 
you, and will bring the musition with him ; which 
when I have done, and inquired of Sir Charles 
Seasar,* whom he serves, of his condishions, I will 
send you worde, and will be most careful! of all 
the coniands you have or will be pleased to favour 
me with, or what else may give testimony 

I am your faithfull frend and humble servant, 

Dorothe Randolph. 

[1631-2.] 

Sins I writ this letter my Lady Cornwalies 
came to me, but not Sir Fredrick ; for he plaies 
least in sight, for feare, I thinke, that I should tell 
him his owne, but I am like to doe it the more, 
next time I see him. I tould his Lady the manner 

* Appointed Master of the Rolls in 1638, which office he purchased 
of the King. He died in 1 642. 



249 

of his carage at Brome, and that it was his own 
fault he came away upon noe better termes. She 
professes she knowes his hart much desires a sin- 
cere reconcilment ; and the contrary, if it continue 
soe, will shorten his life : yet I perseave not him to 
be soe forward as she; but I know nothing but 
that he is soe backward to come to me, where he 
might further that he soe much desires. It will 
be too tedious to committ to wrighting all that 
passed betwene my Lady Cornwalies and me ; only 
this in generall, she much desires, as she saieth, 
still to doe any thing that might give you satisfac- 
tion. For the money, when she could get it, you 
should have it ; and, if in the meane time the King 
and Queen's promis from their own mouthes to you 
will any way give you content, she will not faile to 
procure that, and she desired me to wright you 
word soe, which I made answer it was better for 
her to writ it herselfe. I knew not how you would 
like it, yet I let it goe on, that you might take that 
ocasion to speake with the King ; and I thinke it 
may serve you for the money well, and be a meanes 
to get it sooner then they can otherwise, and it 
will be a caus that any bodie will thinke sufficient 
to bring you to towne. My Lady was afraid any 
thing that she should writ would be unpleasing to 
you, but I strived to perswade her from that ; 
becaus, if you should accept any thing that she 
offers, you might have it under her owne hand, for 



250 

she might forget what she saied to me, and I 
might be accused for mistaking. 

I thinke you weare never trobled with so tedi- 
ous a letter, and therfore now I will conclude, 
with a hartie wish of all hapines to you and 
yours ; and soe, sweet Madam, ons more farewell. 



CLX. 

AMBROSE RANDOLPH TO JANE LADY BACON. 

Most HON red Lady, 

I should think it a great happines to me if [I] 
could any waye merit the thanks which I receyued 
by your last letter, for there can neuer any thing 
happen within y e small compass of my abillity to 
performe, that I shall not most willingly efFecte to 
doe your La^ seruice, or inwardly condemne my 
selfe of much ingratitude. The newse we haue 
now a dayes is so variously reported, that euen 
from good hands we cannot well be assured of it ; 
yet, rather then to be altogether silent, I haue both 
now and y e last weeke sent your Lay p what I heare, 
but, y e carryer beinge gone before my man came to 
him, I haue here inclosed it. Since which time it 
is reported, that Papinham hath from y e Em- 
perour releued the towne of Magdenbirg to his 
owne cost ; for, after he had with 8000 entred the 
cittie and spoiled it, he blewe vp the cheefe 
churche and ruined all y e best buldings, and then 



251 

tooke all y e welth of y e towne with him, and so 
ment to haue returned in great triumph ; but y e 
troopes of y e Duke of Saxon and Count Home sur- 
prised his treasure, and did defeate a 1 ! his men 
with a great slaughter. This, with my humbly 
and most affectionat seruice, is the all I can pre- 
sent at this time, resting 

You 1 " La yp1s most humble seruant, 

Ambrose Plandolph. 

February 8, 1631-2. 

CLXI. 

the same to the same. 

Most honored Lady, 

If I had much newse, it were now superfluous to 
write it, your La yp having so many of the courte y t 
can exactely relate it. I therfore will only ac- 
quaint yor La yp with my owne misfortune, that this 
night at 11 of y e cloke lost my best freinde the 
Lo rd of Dorchester,* his Lady beinge very great 
with child. To which sad euent I may also add an 
other greefe, which doth with y e former much press 
me, and y t is the breache of promise from y e Lord 
Treasorer,f whoe sayed I should have my mony this 
last tearme, but now I have small hope of it a good 
while, if all be true y* is sayd of the Exchequer. 
I must therfore crave yor La !,e ' s pardon that I 
have not yet discharged y e debte of mony which I 

* See note to page 205. + Lord Weston. 



252 

so much desyre to paye to your La yp , but cannot 
yet so much as sett a certaine daye to doe it ; but, 
when you please to comand it, I shall most willingly 
procure it, and most thankfully rest, 

Your Lay p ' s most affectionat and humble ser- 
uant to command, 

Ambrose Randolph. 

Feb. y e 26, 1631-2. 

CLXII. 

sir t. meautys to jane lady bacon. 

Deere Sister, 

I cannot but let you know what an afflycted 
and grieved lady the Queene of Bohemia is for the 
death of the King, who dyed at Mentz in Ger- 
many. Certainly no whoman shoulde tacke the 
death of a husband more to hart then this Queene 
doth. I would that it lay in your power any waye 
in these her sorrows to bee a comfort to her, for I do 
asshewer you that you are much bound to her for 
her good opinnyon of you ; for, not long before the 
newes came of the King's death, I had the honnor 
to wayghte upon her at her court at Rine, where 
she then was, and, amongst other discourse that 
her Majestie was pleased to move unto me, she 
asked me when I heard from you, and wheather 
my sonne were with you still or noe. I toulde 
her that he was : " Otherwaies," said her Ma tie , 
" you neede tacke no care for him." I made her 



25$ 

answer that my care for him was the les, in regarde 
that I knew him to bee with soe good a friend. 
And said she, " Your sister is one of the best dis- 
positions in the world, and every way I doe love 
her very well, and better then any lady in Eng- 
land that I knowe, and have a great deale of reason 
to doe soe." This was her Ma tie ' s discours of you 
at that time before the Princes and the rest of the 
ladies there present. Now, I pray, give me leave 
to ask you a question, and that is, How you lyke 
my lyttle girle that is with my wyfe ? I must tell 
you that she hath bin lapt in the skirts of her 
father's shirt, for she is beloved where she comes, 
and I love her very well, and soe doth she me ; 
and yet somtymes I can wipp her and love her 
too. You must excuse me for using this lan- 
guage, for, when I cannot see my children, it does 
me good to talke of them. Now, as M r Mayor of 
Dover tolde my Lord of Essex that he had a bet- 
ter cup of wine in his sellar then that he had given 
his Lordship at that tyme to drynck of, soe I must 
say I have another girle at home that is as prettie 
as Nan, which God make me thankful to Him for, 
and bles me with meanes as may provyde for 
them ! And soe, with my love and affection to you 
and all yours, I committ you to God, and rest, 

Yours, T. Meautys. 

Amheim, the 2 d of Desember 1632. 

To my deere sister, the Lady Bacon, geve these. 



254 



CLXIII. 



SIR EDMUND BACON TO JANE LADY BACON. 
SlSTER 3 

This eveninge the messenger I sent to London 
is retourned ; what I have learnd of his sendinge 
ys, that the busynes wherin my cosin dealt was 
the treaty of a match betweene M r Philip WOod- 
house and the daughter of the L. Lovelace,* wherof 
I sayde somewhat to you when we last mett. 
That gentlewoman is nowe assured to one of the 
country where my L. lyveth, so that there ys an 
end of that negotiation. This ys the awnsweare to 
what I promised to enquire after. I will seale up 
these lynes unto you with a larg acknowledgment 
of y e debt I owe you for your kinde visitation, and 
so leave you for this tyme, being 

Y r very loving brother, Ed. Bacon. 

I remember well the busynes treated on at 
Hacqueneye, and the portion was 500£. There 
was some difference about the payment of some 
part of yt, which was the speciall cause why the 
match went not forward. 

Redgrave, Feb. 2, 1632-3. 



* Sir Richard Lovelace, created in 1627 Baron Lovelace, of Hur- 
ley, Berks, had by his second wife, Margaret Dodsworth, two sons 
and two daughters, of whom Elizabeth married Henry, son of Sir 
Henry Marten ; and Martha, Sir George Stonehouse, Bart. 



255 

CLXIV. 

dorothe randolph to jane lady bacon. 

My most honored Lady, 

I find my Lady Cornwalies in the same minde 
still of desiring your fauor, and a willingnes to 
haue you come up, but not to haue the King send 
for you ; but I doubt not but shee will be easilie 
aduised to make it her sutt to you to come, that 
you may resaue the King and Quene's promis for 
the mony ; * but I persaue shee is a littell afraid 
you should falle upon business past when you 
shall speake with the King, not as it conserns S r 
Fredrick but him selfe, in the matter of his 
iniuring you. But I shall neede say noe more of 
anything, sins I asure myselfe you haue resaued 
satisfaction by S r Fredrick ; therfore I will now 
say noe more then that which I shall euer be 
redy to make good, which is, that 

I am your Ladiship's faithfull frend 
and humble seruant, 

Dorothe Randolph. 

My mother and housband present thar seruis 
to you. Thar died of the plage but three. 

Maye the 25 [1632]. 
To my most honored frend, the Lady Bacon, at Brome. 



* The money was probably never paid, for the circumstance would 
undoubtedly have been mentioned in some of the letters. 



256 



CLXV. 

ANNE LADY MEAUTYS TO JANE LADY BACON. 

According to my promise, I will not faile to let 
you understand of my proseedings last week, which 
was the first opportunity I could get to come unto 
the speech of my Lord of Dorset, who was pleased 
to tell me how much his Lordship had travailed in 
M r Meautys's behalf to his Majestie for the making 
of a baronet, the which his Majestie will by no 
means grant; so for that I am allredie answered. 
Now for Sir Alexander RadclifFe and my Lady: 
so soone as I came to London, I did write unto 
them, and sent those letters of M r Meautys's en- 
closed, which, as it should seeme, they like of very 
well ; for he is come to London, and tells me the 
cheefe part of his bissines is to take me down into 
the country, my Lady being very desirous to see 
me, so that now I resolve to goe along with him. 
Thus, entreating you to let me hear from you as 
often as your leisure will permit, I rest, 
Your affectionate loving sister, 

Anna Meautys. 

London, Nov r 24, 1632. 

To ray deare and much honoured sister, the Lady Bacon. 



25' 



CLXVL 

sir f. cornwallis to jane lady bacon. 
My deere Mother, 

In obedience to your La?' 3 comands, I sende this 
messenger to tell you that I am appointed to goe 
w th my Lord Marshall to the Hage to fech the 
Queene of Bohemia ; * and therefore I humbly 
bege your leave and blessing, and desire to knowe 
if your La? will comand mee any services. My 
warning is so short that I cannot have time to 
come kisse your hands my selve, for I knew not of 
it untill w th in this hower, and wee must goe awaie 
upon Wensday. Thus, with the presentments of 
mine and my wife's humble dutie and respects to 
your La p , whoo desiers to be excused for not 
writing, I rest, 

Your most affectionately obedient sonne, 

F. CORNWALLEIS. 
[December 1632.] 

CLXVII. 

the same to the same. 

My deere Mother, 

My Lord Marshall making so much hast, I 
have onelie time to tell your La p that wee are this 

* " Thursday the Earl of Arundel sett forth for the Low Countries 
to fetch the Queen of Bohemia and her children.' 1 — Land's Diary, 
Dec r 27, 1632. 



258 

morning imbarking, having a good winde and faire 
weethere, so that I hope wee shall bee at the Brill 
w th in 30 or 40 howres, and then I shall with the 
next messenger give you an account of our jour- 
ney againe ; till w ch time, and ever, I shall humbly 
beg your La p,,s blessing for my boy and 
Your most obedient sonne, 

F. CORNWALLEIS. 

Marget, this Sunday morning, 30 day December [1632]. 



CLXVIII. 

the same to the same. 

My deere Mother, 

I must not omitt any oportunitie to present my 
humble dutie and respects to your La p , and so 
give you an account of my selve. This night wee 
are savely (thankes bee to God !) arrived at Delph, 
w ch is w th in a mile of the Hage, and my Lord Im- 
bassador is gone privately to the Queene : in the 
morning he retournes to us againe, and then the 
Prince and the States comes to fech us to the 
court. This is all I know yet or have time to 
write ; only to bege your La p ' s blessing upon 
Your most obedient sonne, 

F. CORNWALLEIS. 

Pelph, this New Year's night [1632-3]. 



259 



CLXIX. 

the same to the same. 

My deere Mother, 

The winde hath been so contrarie that I had 
noe means all this time to tell your La p that my 
selve and all our company are verie well, and now 
verie shortly coming for England, but w th out her 
wee came for ; the cause I know not in particular, 
but I finde in generall matters have bin ill carried, 
and that is as much as wee dare inquire into. My 
Lord Goring is going in a great hurrie, and I have 
onelie time to say I am 

Your La p,s most obedient sonne, 

F. Cornwallis. 

[1632-3.] 



CLXX. 

the same to the same. 

My deere Mother, 

I besheech you excuse my scribling, for I broke 
my thumb in Holland, and I cannot yet hould my 
pen allmost so longe as to tell your La p that the 
Queene commends her love to you, and hath sent 
you the last cheane shee wore : but my cabinet is 
not yet come, and, if it weare, I should desire to 
deliver it and her one language my selve, which I 
shall doe as soone as I am but a littell rested ; for 



260 

wee weare forteene daies at sea, and truely I am 
extreame sore with tumbling. Madam, I humbly 
beg your blessing for mee and my boy. 

Your LaP' s most obedient sonne to love and 
serve you, F. Cornwallis. 

[1632-3.] 



CLXXL 



THE SAME TO THE SAME. 

My deere Mother, 

It was not Hide Parke, nor any other foolerie, 
that kept mee the last weeke from presenting my 
respects to your La p , but I was at Kensington 
w th my Lord of Holland, who is still heare for 
sending my Lord Weston * a challenge ; but I 
hope wee shall have him againe at court w th in one 
day or two. Wee are mainly factious heere and 
disordered w th this ; but I dare write noe more, 
onely, humbly beging your La p ' s blessing for mee 
and Charles, I rest, 

Your most affectionately obedient sonne, 

F. Cornwallis. 

[1632-3.] 

For my deere and honored mother the Ladie Bacon, at Cidforde, 
these. 

* Sir Richard Weston, created in 1628 Baron Weston, and ad- 
vanced in 1632 to the Earldom of Portland. He rilled successively 
the high offices of Chancellor of the Exchequer and Lord Treasurer. 
He was also K.G. He died in 1634. No account of this quarrel 
seems to have come down to us. 



261 



CLXXII. 

the same to the same. 
My dere Mother, 

My hand is just well inough to present my 
humble dutie and respects to your La p , and to tell 
you that all our Lords heere are made frinds 
againe and restored to the King's favor ; which is 
all the newes wee have. Now, Maddam, I hum- 
bly bege your La p1s praiers and blessing for Charles 
and Your affectionately obedient sonne, 

F. Cornwallis. 

[1632-3.] 

CLXXIII. 

the same to the same. 
My deere Mother, 

Will you give these leave to beg my pardon 
for not waiting on you this night; for this morn- 
ing the Duchesse* and my Lord of Holland are 
gon to London, and laied there comands upon 
mee to waite of my Lord Dunlusse (my Lord 
Savagef not being at home) as longe as he staied, 

* Randall Macdonnell, Lord Dunluce, eldest son of the first Earl 
of Antrim, succeeded his father in 1636, and was created a Marquis 
in 1643, which honour became extinct at his death in 1673. s. p. 
His first wife was Lady Catherine Manners, widow of the Duke of 
Buckingham, the Duchess here mentioned. 

t Thomas Viscount Savage succeeded, in 1639, to the Earldom 
of Rivers, on the decease of his maternal grandfather, on whom that 
title had been conferred in 1626, with remainder to the heirs male of 
his daughter Elizabeth, married to Sir Thomas Savage. 



262 

which will bee till Twesday, and then I shall not 
faile to waite on you; in the meane time, and 
ever, I shall humbly beg your La p,s blessing for 
Charles and Your obedient sonne, 

F. Cornwallis. 

[1632-3.] 

If there come any letters from my wife, I pray 
open them and sende them to mee ; and, if your 
La p can, I besheech you lend mee 20 1 , for the 
truth is I have lost all my monie. 

For my honored deere mother the Ladie Bacon. 



CLXXIV. 

anne lady meautys to jane lady bacon. 

Most deare Sister, 

Not long since I had the happines to receve a 
letter from you, the which I was not a little joyfull 
of. In that I was soe far remote from you, I must 
confess it did grieve me, in that my being was so 
long in England ; but now, since j.t hath pleased 
God to bring me so far as London in my way 
towards the Low Countries, my desier is to receve 
your commands, for, soe soone as I can get con- 
venient shipping, I will make all the haste over 
that I can. Deare Sister, I must aquaint you 
with the bissines concerning Sir Alexander Rad- 
clhTe and my Lady ; as yet I understand by them 
how their estate is so much encombered, first by 



263 

the occasion of their debtes, and then the redeem- 
ing of their land, the which her father mortgaged 
unto the very dores of his house, that, until such 
time as their own estate be settled, they saye they 
shall not be able to establish any sartintie upon 
me or mine ; but so soone as they can take order 
for it, which this terme they intend to do, then 
they have both promised me seriously they will 
not faile to performe all that they can for me. 
For them, I wish them much happines; and I 
must acknowledge I have bine very kindly enter- 
tained of them both all the time of my being 
there. Now, deare Sister, when you shall see 
them in my absence, will you please to put them 
in mind of me, for their intent is to see you this 
somer. Deare Sister, I must confess that I am 
ashamed now againe to trubble you, but my neces- 
sitie is such, occasioned by my living and teduous 
travels, that I must intrete you to, if you please, 
to send me the money which is to be receved at 
Midsomer. Were it that I did know how to help 
myselfe, I would not bespeake one ower's time 
that you have prefixed, but now I hope that you 
will take me into your consideration. And thus, 
wishing you the blessings of this life, and honor 
hereafter, I rest, 

Your most affectionate and truly sister ever 
to serve you, Anna Meautys. 

London, April 16, 1633. 



264 



CLXXV. 

the same to the same. 
Most deare Sister, 

These are to intreate you, that, in my absence, 
you would be pleased to show this letter to Sir 
Alexander and my Lady when they shall come 
unto you, which is to remember them of those 
promises made unto me at my being with them. 
The first was my Lady whom I did acquaint, I 
telling her how much my case was to be commis- 
serated, the promises of my Lord and her mother 
being now violated, the which they had with soe 
many solemn protestations vowed to performe to 
me, concerning the jointure of 200^ a yeare, and 
that if it should please God to take away my hus- 
band, what would become of me and my poore 
children ; and withall I told her how much I did 
relie upon her goodnes, whom I did assure myselfe 
did love me soe well that she would take my case 
into her consideration: she said she would do 
what might be done for me, and that she would 
tell Sir Alexander of it, who, she knew, would not 
be against any good that she should intend to any 
kindred of hers. Then I did breake with him my- 
selfe, and I must confes I found him very noble in 
his answer, sayeing that soe soone as he had but 
settled his bissines, which he hoped to dispach 
this terme, he would conferme something upon 



265 

me, which he said must be some of his own in- 
heritance, for the rest, he said, was all intailed, 
only Diss, upon his sone, which is 80 £ a yeare. 
He did solemnly swear to me he would not faile 
to do for me all that laye in his power, and soe 
did my Lady too ; soe that, when they have settled 
their occasions, that then they will really con- 
ferme something upon me. I and mine shall be 
ever obliged to them, and I am assured God will 
prosper them the better for their charitable per- 
formance. And soe, beseeching you to be an as- 
sistance to me in this bissines, I shall, now and 
ever, continew 

Y r most affectionate and truely loving sister 
to be commanded, Anna Meautys. 

London, May 6, 1633. 

To my deare and much honoured sister, Lady Bacon. 



CLXXVI. 

the same to the same. 

Most deare Sister, 

I have receved that money which you was 
pleased to send me by M r Greenhill, which came 
soe conveniently as I could wish. The shipping 
is now come which I have soe long expected ; and 
on Saturday next I meane, with God's permission, 
to goe for the Low Countries. I have been much 
beholding unto my Lady Cornwalies, who was 



c 266 

pleased to come and see me, and after brought me 
to kiss the King and Queen's hands. The King 
is gone for Scotland ; and for the other nuse att 
court concerning M rs Villiers and M r Garman, I 
thinke you will heare the relacion of it before these 
shall come unto you, so that I shall not neede fur- 
ther to write to you of it. Deare Sister, I give 
you thankes for all your real favours, and all hap- 
pines attend you and all yours ; and soe, being 
called away by the hasty marriners, I must desist 
to write, but never to love you. 

Yo r most assured in all true affection, 

Anna Meautys. 

From London, May .9, 1633. 

To my deare and much honoured sister, Lady Bacon. 

Favor me, sweete Sister, soe much to recom- 
mend my kind respectes unto my sweete neveu and 
my neece ; and, if you will please to kisse pretie 
Charles and Hercules for my sake, I shall be your 
servant. 



CLXXVII. 

sir f. cornwallis to jane lady bacon. 

My deere Mother, 

I am just now come from waiting of the King 
into Scotland;* and, meeting w th the carrier, have 
made him stay so long as to tell your LaP that I 

* The King set out for Scotland, May 20, and returned to Green- 
wich, July 20. 



267 

will very shortly waite of you, and humbly bege 
my selve your LaP' s blessing for Charles and 
Your LaP' s most affectionately obedient sonne, 

F. Cornwallis. 

[June, 1633.] 

CLXXVIII. 

eliza lady cornwallis to jane lady bacon. 

Deere Mother, 

I hoope, by God's great marsy to us, our sweete 
babs are as well as thay seem ; I humbly beseech 
Him to bless them with His sauinge grace. But, 
Madam, it dus hartily greefe me that you are so 
sade, becas I know it will hurte you, and then our 
sufFrings muste bee more : therfor, good Mother, for 
God sake cheere up yo r sperrets, and striue all you 
possible can to forgeete what is not to be helpte ; 
for, Madam, I hope God will bee so gratious to us 
as to keepe our deere Frede, and bring him to us 
again in safty, and then, Madam, wee shall bee 
joyfull again. I wod to God I wear ene with you, 
for trwly I wod doo ore say any thing to cheere 
you up, for I haue more oblygation to yo r La pe 
then euer datter in law had to a mother ; and by 
that I bege of you that you put an ende to all sade 
thouts for me, for, Madam, God hath so infinitly 
blest us, that to[morrow] the thurd parte of my 
greattest trubel will be ouer, and, I think, with- 
hout any suspission att all ; I humbly beseech God 

N 2 



268 

that I may neuer forgeet His great marsy in it. 
Madam, this is heere a huge day of triounfe, and 
I haue taken so much hart and currage as a 
leettell to appeer amongst them, thoo it be but 
stagaring. My Lady Mary * and my Lorde Charles 
are married, and thay say thers more brauery then 
has been seene a loung time. So, praing for yo r 
helth and dessyre of yo r blessing and prayars for 
and to us all, I humbly kis yo r La p ' s hands as, 
Madam, 

Yo r La pe1s true affectinate datter and 

most humble saruante, 

Eliza Cornewalleis. 

[January 8, 1633-4,] 

Madam, I think it best not to send any letters 
to my husband till we know whear he bee. 



CLXXIX. 

sir f. cornwallis to jane lady bacon. 
My deare Mother, 

Since my comeing out of England I have been 
so happy as to receive five letters from your La p ; 
and in your last your La p is pleased to take notise 

* " January 8, 1633-4. I married Lord Charles Herbert and 
Lady Mary [Villiers], daughter of the Duke of Buckingham, in the 
closet, at Whitehall." — Diary of Zaud, then Bishop of London. The 
bridegroom was the eldest son of William, fourth Earl of Pembroke, 
and died at Florence of the small-pox in 1635, v. p. His widow 
married, secondly, Esme, Duke of Richmond and Lenox ; and, thirdly, 
Thomas Howard, brother to Charles Earl of Carlisle, and deceased in 
1685. She left no issue by any of her husbands. 



269 

of a letter of mine which it should seeme bore no 
date, and thearfore your La 1 ' makes some question 
that it was written before I came awaie. I will 
assure you, Madam, my journie was so sudden, 
that I had not time to write for your La p,s leave 
and blessing, which were a great deale more con- 
siderable to me then all the rest of my fortune. 
That made me send my wife to make my excuse, 
and in my name to beg it : but for that omission I 
hope, Madam, I shall easily obteine your La 1 ' 9 
belief and pardon, when I tell you I was so much 
distracted with the sense of my own misfortune, 
that caused me to be giltie of so much importuni- 
tie to your La p , that I hardly durst venture at all 
to send it, but that the assurance of your La 1 " 8 
goodness incouraged me to be confident that 
nothing can divert your affection. 

Madam, your most obedient sonne, 

to dispose of as you like, 

F. CORNWALLEIS. 

Madam, I humbly beg your La p ' s blessing for 
myself and all mine, which I am sure will make us 
all verie happy. 

Paris, March 19, 1633-4. 



270 



CLXXX. 

eliza lady cornwallis to jane lady bacon. 

Deere Mother, 

I hade last Satterday broute me by a London- 
ere a bill of exchange, as they cale it, for tow 
hunderd pounds, presently to bee paid to the barare 
therof, becas hee had alredy hade the munie. I 
must confes the hand is so licke my husband's, 
that I ueryly beleue it came from him, but whear 
hee shude thinke I shud haue the munny I cannot 
imagen ; and, to, one of thos letters I sente to y r 
La pe last was datted the same daye that the mar- 
chanfs note was, which was the 24 of May, and in 
that hee spack of noe suche thinge. Now what in 
the worlde to saye to this marchant for the pre- 
sente I knowe not, becas they say that if bills bee 
not presently paide heare, thay send back and pro- 
test them thear, and then nobody will trust them 
for any thinge. Now, if that wod bring him home, 
it weare noe matter ; but, alas ! I fear it will note : 
therfore I tould the man, more to delay the time 
awhile, then for any hops that I hade of the 
munny, becas I think thear is more paide alredy 
to him and for him then is dwe to him of his halfe 
year's reuenue, that I myselfe was alltogether un- 
prouided of such a sume of munny, and that hee 
sed nothing of it in his letter to me ; but I wode 



271 

sende doun to them that had the ordring of his 
bisnes, to see if ther weare any munny to be had, 
but named nobody. I tould him it wode be neere 
a fortnite before I coulde heare an ansor, which 
time hee was contente to stay before hee sent backe 
to protest him. Now I beseech you, Madam, gife 
me yo r aduis what to say to him, for I know not 
whear to haue the munny ; for, as for that that I 
am to haue for the halfe yeare, I haue so long 
promised paiment of what I can possibly spare, 
that I shud bee loth to faile them, if I wantted not 
food for my saruants and myselfe, being my hus- 
band has a compidens besides; for out of loOi? I 
am shur I haue promised abufe 6 score pound, 
shift as I can, and thay com and send daily for it, 
but as yet we can geet none out of the Exchecer. 
I humbly beseech God to presarue my poore 
husband, and bring him horn in saftie to us ; but, 
Madam, thes 2 munths are mity loung. But, 
good Mother, I beseech you, be you chearly and 
make much of yo r selfe ; and with thes resaue my 
humble thanks for our poore sweete babs, whom I 
most humbly beseech Almighty God to bles with 
His sauing grace. Trwly, Madam, I loung to see 
them and you, and you and them : and I hope the 
Queene's being with childe, which now begins to 
bee publeckly spoken of, shall bee noe hindrans to 
my coming to yo r La? 6 , thoe I fear it will be to my 
stay with you ; for the Queene had gifen me leaue 



272 

to a com to y r La pe when shee had gon her progres, 
and then I shud a had too munths ore 6 weeks to 
af staide with you, and now I fear I shall be cut 
shorte of that time. Here is much talking of forren 
wars and armis joyning, yet no sartentie; but I 
humbly beseech God kepe our Fred from amongst 
them and all harm. My Lady Harborte,* with 
all her youth and buttie, is deed of a spotted feuer, 
which is uery rife at London : she is much lament- 
ed, M r Tressurer is taken in his rite hand with a 
ffitt of the ded palsie, as he was sitting down to 
supper. I haue sente yo r La e a littill barrell of 
Seffill oullifs:f thay say thay are uery good for the 
spleene, if thay bee eaten in a morning fasting, and 
disgested by sum exsersise. S r Thomas Stafford J 
and M r Gorge Elliot presents ther saruis to yo r 
La pe and my faire sister, to whoom with my saruis 
I wish all happie suckses, and bege yo r blessing 
for and too us all, and so humbly kis yo r La p,s 

* It is difficult to identify this lady, but she was probably Mary, 
one of the daughters of the Earl of Bridgewater, mentioned before, 
who married Richard, eldest son of Edward Lord Herbert, of Cher- 
bury. 

t Seville olives. 

X According to Dugdale, Hist, of Warwickshire, v. ii. p. 686, the 
church of Stratford-on-Avon contained a mutilated inscription, record- 
ing the military services of a Sir Thomas Stafford, and a person of 
those names is elsewhere said to have married Mary Wodehouse, 
relict of Sir Robert Kelligrew, and to have lived at Stafford House in 
the Strand. But nothing conclusive respecting the knight above 
mentioned has been ascertained. 



273 

hands as, Madam, Yo r La ,,1s trv affectinate dautter 
and humble saruant, Eliza Cornewalleis. 

The King has sente M r Harry Murry to see his 
sister the Queene of Boheme : she has had many 
fits of ane ague. The Dutches of liichman* is 
uery well recouered againe. 

Grinwich, the 4 of June [1634], 



CLXXXI. 

nicholas bacon to jane lady bacon, his mother. 
Deare Mother, 

I might bee accused of a greate deale of negli- 
gence if I shoulde not, as often as I have any occa- 
sion, present my most humble duty unto your La H ; 
and I doe hope, Maddame, to performe your La (, ' s 
promise to my tutor for mee in regaining y e time I 
have lost. Maddame, y e tailor saieth, for gownes, 
either a wrought silke grogorine or a tuffe taifety 
in graine, y e colour greene or tawny, which your La H 
pleaseth ; for sowing hee requireth 2 yardes of 
velvet or plush, which your La 1 ' pleaseth : he re- 
quireth fourteen yardes for y e gowne, besides the 
facings, of half a yarde broade. N. B. 

Cambridge, May 23 [1635]. 

* Vide note to page 08. 



274 



CLXXXII. 

the same to the same. 

Deare Mother, 

I never faile as oft as occasions shew themselves 
of presenting my humble duty to your La p . I doe 
count it a great happinesse, that, whilst I am de- 
prived of your La p,s sight, I have the oportunity to 
doe so in writing ; and I very much wishe, Maddam, 
I could as well expresse it in words as it is really 
in my heart : but your La p knoweth my dissability 
that way, and therefore I hope you will excuse all 
faults committed in the writing. Thus, Maddam, 
humbly craving your La p ' s blessing, I rest, Maddam, 
Yo r La p ' s most obedient childe, 

Nic. Bacon. 

My aunt Walgrave presents her humble service. 
Maddam, I shall desire yo r La p to buy mee a 
blacke hatt, for that bever I have begins to decay. 

[1635.] 

To my deare and loving mother, the Lady Bacon, presente these. 



CLXXXIII. 

anne lady meautys to jane lady bacon. 

Deare Sister, 

These are to intrete you to let M r Meautys 
and myselfe to understand the sertintie of your 



275 

determinate resolution, whether you will be pleased 
to assist us in sending us one 100 £, and to paye 
yourselfe againe, as he hath formerly writt unto 

you I can write noe nuse, but that there 

is in these parts many trubbles: the Prince of 
Orringe his armies and the French are joined 
together, but, before they did meete, the King of 
France his armie did give unto the King of 
Spaine's armie a great overthrow, in number slane 
and maimed 9000 men. I was very lately by her 
Ma tie the Queen of Bohemia, who hath bine very 
sicke of an ague. She was pleased to tell me she 
had bine that day 6 weekes sicke that I was with 
her Ma tie , and that in the time she had 23 fits ; first 
she was soe extreme ill, that every fit held her Ma tie 
12 houres long. Her Ma tie told me she was so 
weake that she was not able to stand upon her legs ; 
but now, praised be God ! she begins to mend 
finelie. I must needes tell you I am much her 
Ma tie,s humble servant, for she is pleased to use me 
with a great deal of favour. Her Ma tie hath done 
me the honor to give me some of her own linen to 
make me clothes, and likewise some of her own 
wareing linen for myselfe, which she had wont to 
ware herselfe in child-bed. And although it hath 
pleased the Lord to laye many trubbels and afflic- 
tions upon my deare husband & myselfe, yet I 
thanke God it is His mercie towards us to give us 
a good repute. My sweethart is now away from 



276 

me, but I hope his absence will not be long. I 
am much your servant that you are pleased to 
let me understand of the wellfare and towardlynes 
of my son Hercules ; for my other littell sonne, I 
have never bine so happie as once to heare whether 
he is dead or alive, since my coming over; &, 
although I have written diverse letters to my neece 
Radcliffe,* I have never receaved any from her. I 
am so tedious, but love has no bounds in my 
affection to you, and soe 

I remain infinitely yours, 

Anna Meautys. 

Delft, June 1, 1635. 

I hope my sweete neece Anne is married before 
this ; in which, if it be so, I wish her much happines. 

To my deare sister the Lady Bacon, at Culfourd. 

* We learn from Blomefield,t that Robert fourth Earl of Sussex 
left no surviving issue by either of his wives, and dying in September 
1629, adopted Sir Alexander Radcliffe as his heir to the manors of 
Diss and Attleburgh ; also that Sir John Radcliffe, father of this 
Sir' Alexander, by Anne, daughter of Thomas Askow, was slain in 
the engagement at the Isle de Rhe, Oct. 29, 1627, being descended 
from Sir Alexander Radcliffe, of Ordsall, grandson to the first Earl of 
Sussex. Blomefield further calls Sir Alexander's wife a natural 
daughter of Robert fourth Earl of Sussex ; if so, her birth occurred 
during the widowhood of her mother, Frances Shute, who remarried 
the Earl, and whose reputation was not unblemished. Still, a child 
born under such circumstances would hardly have been acknowledged 
by Lady Bacon as her niece, nor would the King have interested 
himself about her ;X and at all events, Frances Radcliffe was found 
heir to her mother in 1627. 



+ History of Norfolk, vol. v. p. 519, 8vo edition. 
J Vide pages 73 and 74. 



277 



CLXXXIV. 

sir t. meautys to jane lady bacon. 
Deere Syster, 

It was my fortune to come home att the same 
tyme my wyfe receued y r letter and bill of ex- 
change of a hundred pounds for the three haulfe 
yeares due att Mid Sommer next, for w ch I giue 
y u many kinde thancks ; and, vntill that came, wee 
weare holly out of moneys, in regarde of the ill 
payement w ch the Stats macks vnto vs. I am sorry 
to reede in y r letter to my wyfe, that my sonne is 
soe hard to learne, but I heere that it proceeds not 
from deulnes of spiritt, but rather from wildnes, 
w ch tyme may allter in him ; for, yf I bee not de- 
seued, hee is licke vnto his second sister, whome, I 
prayse God for, is a fine quick spiryted childe, 
but some thing hard to learne : but then my 
eldest gyrle is much the contrary, and of a good 
memory, and learnes more then I can finde meanes 
to haue tought hir, and I maye saye hath all reddie 
sooed all hir wylde oats, soe much a whoman is 
shee grone, God bles hir ! My wyfe and my selfe 
are much troubled in regarde wee cannot heere 
any thinge of ower childe in Lankess-shire, wee 
haueinge sent soe many letters theather, but can 
receue noe ansour att all againe, neather dooe wee 
knowe for the present weare to direct ower letters. 



278 

I confes that I loue my children well, but I had 
rather to haue none att all, then to haue them 
soe ; but att my cominge for Ingland I will cause 
him, yf that hee be aliue, to be fetched from the 
place weare hee is. Thus, w th the remembrance of 
my loue to y u , I rest 

Y r afFect e lovinge brother, 

T. Meautys. 

Delfe, theij of June 1636. 

For my deere syster, the Lady Bacon, att hir howse att Coulfurd 
in Suffolcke, these. 

CLXXXV. 

nicholas bacon to jane lady bacon. 

Deare Mother, 

I, according to your Ladyship's commands and 
my humble former promises, present my respects 
dutifull to your Ladyship. 'Tis a troublesome 
time, I confesse, now ; yet nothing may hinder a 
ready hart from breaking out into this paper ser- 
vice. I suppose your Ladyship expects to heare 
something concerning Dr. Sibes : * the newes is the 
worst we can send, for God hath removed him 
from a mastership here to the fellowship of Him- 
self and blessed angels. A post this night gave 
us notice of his departure this morning. God 
turne all to the best. My tutor & M r Pots re- 

* Richard Sibbs, D. D,, Preacher at Gray's Inn, appointed Master 
of Catherine Hall in'1626, to which he proved a great benefactor. He 
was succeeded by Ralph Brownrigg. 



279 

commend their humble service to your Ladyship; 
and I, as duty bindes me, close my letter with 
nothing but this, that I resolve to remaine 
Yo r Ladyship's most obedient sonne, 

Nich. Bacon. 

Cambridge, July 6, 1635. 

To my deare mother, the Lady Bacon, at Culforde, present these. 



CLXXXV1. 

the same to the same. 
Deare Mother, 

I humbly desire your La p not to thinke it out 
of any neglect that there came no letter from me 
this weeke, for I had written, and the carrier was 
gone to bedd and would not rise. Madam, we 
have, I hope, a very good master, which is some 
comfort to us for the losse of D r Sibes. Madam, 
I shall desire to waight upon your La p when my 
brother & sister* come downe, if it please your 
La p ; for I shall herein, and all other things, submit 
myselfe to your La p,s pleasure, that so I may per- 
forate the part of 

Yo r La p,s most obedient sonne, 

Nicholas Bacon. 

Cambridge, July 15, 1635. 



Sir Frederick and Lady Cornwallia. 



280 

CLXXXVII. 

sir f. cornwallts to jane lady bacon. 

My deare Mother, 

I hope your La? was pleased to receiue my 
wiefe's excuse, & so to pardon mee that I had not 
the honor to write to your La? the last weeke ; for, 
iust as I was aboute it, the Kinge sent mee in 
a greate deale of haste to my Lorde Sauage, whoo, 
for all my speede, I founde deade beefore I came. 
Hee hath leafte noe will, & they say that his debts 
are a greate deale more then his fortune will bee 
after my Lord Riuers his death, espetially if hee 
shoulde die beefore my Ladie. Madam, ail the 
other newes is of the ariuall of the Prince Elector,* 
whoo came to the court vpon Saterday night. I 
was sente w th a message a Friday to meet him at 
Rochester ; and vpon Saterday morning my Lorde 
of Douer,f my Lo rd Maltravers, w th ther gentill- 
men, did fech him to Gravesend, wheare my Lord 
Marshall met him from the King, & my Lorde 
Goring from the Queene, w th diuers Earls, Lords, 
& gentillmen, whoo did bring him to the Tower 
by water; and there weare the King's & Queene's 
coches to receive him, w th thirtie coches more, 

* Charles Lewis, Elector Palatine, eldest surviving son of the 
King of Bohemia, and nephew to Charles I. He died in 1680, aged 
sixty-three. 

f Henry Cary, Lord Hunsdon, advanced in 1627 to the Earldom 
of Dover. 



281 

having 6 horsesse a pice. Hee was received at 
Whitehall w th a greate deale of state in generall, 
w ch hath giuen the worlde much satisfaction, & 
makes all men think that this iourney will con- 
duce much to the good of his affaiers. Wee are 
all now at Theobals, wheare wee shall stay till 
Saterday, & then retourne againe to London, &, I 
thinke, the next weeke to Hamton Court. Ma- 
dam, this is all the newes ; for that w ch I shall say 
to you of my selve will bee none, w ch is, that I 
haue bin faine to pay away all the little monie 
that M r Morse brought to stop some few people's 
mouths, & yet it will not halfe satisfie them ; so 
that I haue not a shilling left for my selve, nor 
know not what to doe, vnlesse your LaP will bee 
plesed to take mee into your consideration, w ch if 
your LaP shall please to doe now at this time, you 
will eternaly oblige, Madam, 

Your LaP 1s most affectionately obedient 

sonne, F. Cornwalleis. 

Madam, I will not faile to waite on your La»* 
at Broom at the awdit. 

Theobals, November 26, 1635. 



CLXXXVIII. 

eliza lady cornwallis to jane lady bacon. 
Deere Mother, 

It was your favore to me that made me sende to 
the carrier to inquire after my letters, which I 



282 

shulde be much to blame to neglect without just 
excuse, sins you are pleased to give them so good 
acceptans; but I beleave the carriers, or some be- 
longing to them, very faulty. I am sure they have 
been so to me this winter. I had my man Wod- 
dull at Newmarket this weak, and it was sum 
trubble to my mind that he shuld com so neere and 
not waite of yo r Ladyship ; but his bisnes was not 
mine, but my Lady Holland's, for she borrod him 
to go to Cambrey upon the report that the Prins 
Elector wod not go there. Madam, I humbly 
thanck you for yo r good news of my husband and 
his bairns, and for yo r love and favor to us all, 
which I beseech God to rewarde you for us all 
with His saving grace ; and I beleave that yf my 
husband had* staide lounger with yo r La?, which I 
shud a bene glad of, he wod a bene cleane well : 
but I heare he means to be hear Satterday, 
therefore I will not write to him. Madam, 1 have 
not seene M r Morse, but I did much feare that he 
wod be so neare coming up when my husband 
came down, that there wod be nothing now don 
in his bisnes : and M r Morse tould me that yo r 
La? might have assurance and the remainder set- 
tled there as well as here, which I was very glad 
of; for I know yo r La? cannot com here but with 
much trubble and charge, and we had nede be as 
sparing of that as we can in small matters, sins 



283 

nesessity forses us to crave yo r assistans in so 
great a proportion ; for trewly, Madam, if you do 
not helpe, I much feare all will be naught. But 
trewly, Madam, my husband is very good ; but, if 
he put his estat into a stranger's hand, I shall 
never looke to see any part of it againe : but for 
yo r favor to me in desiring to keep my joynture free, 
I cannot saye enuff, but I shall laye it up in a thank- 
ful harte with yo r many other kindnesses. But I 
hope my husband will be willing to give yo r La? 
any assurance that you pleas, and trewly, Madam, 
the more tie you have upon him and his estate 
the gladder I shall be, for I veryly beleve it will be 
[best] for him ; and I pray God give us all a happie 
meeting. But when I think how troublesome I have 
been, and how unplesing company I must yet be to 
every body, I recall my wishes, and hope that God 
will give me that hapines when I shall be more ca- 
pable of it then now I could, being so often ill : but, 
Madam, if I do think of any thing that my stomach 
will sarve me to eat, I will make such use of your 
kind favour, for which I humbly thank you r La p , 
that you shall be sure to hear of me. My sister 
Jarvess and her husband wear with me this day ; 
they',both present ther sarvis to yo r La p . Gordon, the 
oulde blade, presents his humble sarvis and thanks 
for the chees, and says yo r LaP' s kindnes is much 
more to him then the chees, and that one of thes 



284 

days he will present you with an eppissell. My 
Lord Carlell* is hugely amended after his fissick, 
and, they say now, will not die at this time. Sum 
says hear that the Tresurer's stafe shall be carred 
by a paire of lawn slevess.f I have given my cosen 
Randolph yo r La?' 5 letters. I humbly kiss your 
hands, as 

Yo r La?' 3 most affectionate daughter, 

Eliza Cornwalleis. 
Pray, Madam, be pleased to bles and bus the 
babs for me. Sir Thomas Stafford presents his 
sarvis : he is pitteously in love, and som times he 's 
in hope and som times in despare, and what will 
be his ende I know not. The Prins of the Temple, 
they say, has sent to offer his sarvis to my cosen 
Semer, and they say she has refused him; but 
they say that by Ester, or before, we shall have 
two of our French women married to Inglishmen, 
Crittian to S r Thorn 3 Shelly's son, J and Cattoe to 
M r Arpe. The Quene went this day to Walling- 
forde, but in her chaire. 

S* James's, on Thursday the 4 of February 1635-6. 

* James Hay, mentioned before. He died shortly afterwards. 

+ William Juxon, Bishop of London, was about this time appoint- 
ed Lord Treasurer, and retained the office till 1641. 

| Both these matches took place. Sir William Shelley, Knight, 
f/isjLf eldest son of Sir Thomas Shelley, of Michel Grove, county of Sussex, 
who was created a Baronet in 1611, married Christiana, daughter of 
Sir James Vandelet, Knight, and died vita patris ; and Mrs. Arpe is 
mentioned in a subsequent letter. Her maiden name has not been 
ascertained. ^ ^ / / 



285 



CLXXXIX. 

sir f. cornwallis to jane lady bacon. 
My Deere Mother, 

I am extreame sorrie that this occation is 
hapened, which makes me sende this messenger to 
kisse your hands and to tell you that I believe Sir 
Arthur Capell* is uncapable either to serve your 
La? or his nephew by reason of an unfortunate ac- 
cident which hath happened to him lately, which 
was the killing of Sir John Jenithrope in a duel, 
which although it wear fairly and with a great deal 
of pressing, so that he is not in danger for his life, 
yet by it, till after his trial, he is uncapable to fol- 
low any sute in law, and he himself is much dis- 
ordered by it; the more because the gentillman 
that he killed and he had been a long time verie 
good friends. The particular relation I leave to 
my wife's man. 

Now, Madam, I have nothing more to say, not 
being able to advise, only to expect yo' La p ' s com- 
mands, which shall be obeied by, Madam, 
Yo r affectionate and obedient sonne, 

F. CORNWALLEIS. 

S l James's, May 4, 1636. 

* Created Baron Capel of Hadham in 1640, and beheaded for 
taking up arms against the Parliament, March 1648-9. 



286 



cxc. 

ANNE LADY MEAUTYS TO JANE LADY BACON. 

Deare Sister, 

Although I haue wriet diuers letters vnto y°, 
of w ch as yet I haue not receiued any answare of 
them, yet such is my affection to y°, y* I can omit 
noe vpportunitie to doe y° seruies. M r Meautys is 
in y e feeld before y e Conac, y* y e enime hath taken 
this summer agin from vs. I haue not seene him 
this halfe yeare, and I feere a winter campayn will 
detaine him y e longer from mee, in y* hee hath y e 
command ouer those companies y* lies there. Y e 
Queene of Bohemia is now in y e Hage ; she was 
pleased to doe me y* honor to be godmother to my 
child, y e w ch I was ignorrant of vntill y e Queene's 
retorne from Rine. I told her M tie y* y° was y e 
other godmother, y e w ch shee was very well pleased 
to vnderstand ; her Ma tie telling of mee y* shee did 
know y° to bee a lady y* was indued w th a great 
dell of honour and virtue, & y 1 in her knowledg 
y° did loue y or brother very well, w ch was a thing 
most commandible in y° : indeede, Sister, her Ma tie 
doth use you w th much fauor, and hath promised 
me y 1 what soeuer doth lie in her power to doe 
mee good shee will not faile to perform it : shee 
was pleased to giue vnto my littell Jane a fine 
present, w ch M r Meautys did send mee from Arn- 



287 

heim. Deare Sister, in my other letters I did 
desier y° to send vs oner y e monie; w ch , if y° please, 
should bee very wellcome vnto vs. Thus, wishing 
much happiness vnto y° and y ors , 

I remaine redy to doe y° seruise in all 
true affection to my end, 

Anna Meautys. 

Deft, y e 9 th of June 1636. 

Deare Sister, if y° please, send mee word how 
my Hercules doth, to whome 1 send my blessing. 

To the Lady Bacon, at Culford. 



CXCI. 

eliza lady cornwallis to jane lady bacon. 

Deere Mother, 

I hope you have by this time recovered the 
werines of your jurney, and given our babs leave 
to come to you. My Lady Nuport's * daughters' was 
not the plague, thanks be to God ! Truly, Madam, 
I did much feare your being very wery of so long 
and solitary a jurny ; and my husband said that he 
was sorry he was putt to ask to stay, for that case 
staies him still in town, as he says to me, for I 
have not as yet seen him sins that day that you 
wente out of towne; but he on Sunday sent M r 
Tom Howard to me, that I would be reddy to goe, 

* Anne, daughter of John Lord Butler, of Bromfield, wife of 
Montjoy Blount, Earl of Newport, mentioned before, by whom she 
had issue three sons, and two daughters, Isabel and Anne. 



288 

into the beginning of the nexte weeke. I sent 
him worde I would do what I could ; but now, I 
thinke, I shall not come so soone, because the 
Queene is now resolved to stay hear till Michlemas, 
and I have been some times away of late, so that I 
shude do well to wait a fortnight or 3 weeks, and 
besides I wod willingly know what will become of 
my mother's appearle * affair, so that I wrote to my 
husband by this messenger not to stay for me after 
he have dispatched his owne affayres ; and when I 
am coming down, I will beg the favor of your 

cotche's meeting me at .f Madam, I can 

say nothing of Sir Tho., only, as soone as you 
were gone, he went to lead me up to your chamber, 
and then he said to me and I to him as before, and 
soe he went away, and I saw him noe more. Then 
my husband and I went to bed into your bed, and 
at nine o'clock I rose and sent for M r Morse, who 
read all the writings to my husband as he lay, and 
then he sealed them, and bade M r Morse put them 
with the writings. I wished the fine and all had 
bene passed, but I hope it will. The King went 
yesterday to Tibal's, and comes not till Saterday. 
The Queene is much delighted with her howse.J 
Madam, I reseved, I humbly thanke you, your 
ring by Tom Howard, and he tould me that your 
La? meant to goe through that night. Truly, my 
good Mother, I very much long to hear how you 

* Sic orig. f Meg. X At Oatlands. 



289 

do, and how you got home ; and so I hope I shall 
by him that carries this to London. Truly, 
Madam, I am so much bound to you for your love 
and care of me and mine, as no creature is more; 
therfore all I can say is so littell. But God re- 
warde you, and I humbly besech God to bless us 
all with His saving grace, and to give us all a 
happie meeting. Madam, 

Y r LaP ,s true affectionat daughter 

and humble sarvant, 

Eliza Cornwaleis. 

Otlands, the 11 of Julye 1637. 



CXCII. 

sir t. meautys to jane lady bacon. 

Deere Sister, 

Sence the rytinge of my last, allthough I much 
desired it, I haue not harde from y u . My retourne 
to the Hage beinge upon the sudden, occationed 
by the death of one of my children, that giues mee 
meanes to rite att this time vnto y u , and to desier 
y u that the haulfe yeare's anewytie, w ch will be 
dew att this somer next, maye be transported ouer 
vnto my wyfe in my absence by a letter of ex- 
change, whoes acquittance y u shall receue for the 
same. Y r frinds, M r Laurence and his wife, are in 
good health att Arnheim, the ayer of w ch place is 
uery agreeable vnto them, as to the rest of the 

o 



290 

good sosietye that liue there : they speeke honour- 
ably of y u , and I dooe perswade myselfe woulde be 
glad to dooe y u any servis in their power. Thus, 
kissinge y r hands, I rest 

Y r affecty e brother and servant, 

T. Meautys. 

Hage, this 6 Maye 1639. 

For my deere sister, the Lady Bacon, att Culfourd. 



CXCIII. 

ELIZA LADY CORNWALLIS TO JANE LADY BACON. 

Deere Mother, 

I humbly thanke you for your kind letter and 
desire of my company, which truly, Madam, is 
very pleasinge to me, and I shude be very glad to 
see pratteling Frede, yo r La?, and all the rest of 
my good frends at cheerly Culford, if I coulde : 
but, alas ! Madam, I feare I shall not this somere, 
because it is so near spent, and now M rs Arpe* 
looks within a weeke, and my poore Lady Shelly is 
going away for a month to Sir Thomas Shelly's, to 
see if that air will do her any good for her case ; if 
not, she must presently away for France, for 
Doctor Caddiman says, if she lose this season, it 
will be too late for her to go; so that, Madam, 
by these resons yo r La p may know that I must do 
as I may. But, Madam, though I see not our 
babs, yet my comforte is that within 2 months I 

* See Letter CLXXXVIII. 



291 

shall have the happines of seeing her that, under 
God, is the preserver of our babs ; for whom with 
myselfe I give to yo r LaP humble thanks, humbly 
beseching God to bless us all with His saving 
grace, and to give us happie meetings when it shall 
please Him. I am sorry silly Harriote is still so 
great a wagler,* for now I shall feare her not out 
growing it ; but God's will be done : and for Frede, 
I think the best is your opinion of not letting him 
use them f till it shall please God to give him more 
strength. I beseche yo r LaP to bless them all, 
and be pleased to present my sarvis to my sister 
and brother. I have sente him his sworde by the 
carrior. I have obaied your comands to me. 
Lady Denbigh remembers her sarvis to yo r La'', 
and gives you many thanks for your fine recete. 
My Lady DuchesJ yet houlds out still ; she is yet 
at her aunte of Richmond's, § so that now we see 
her but seldom. Monday was my Lord Felding's || 
marage day ; but so private, that his mother did 

* To waggle is to move from one side to the other, a term applied 
to goslings unable to walk steadily. 

+ i. e. his legs. 

J Mary, daughter of G. Villiers, Duke of Buckingham, wife 
of James Duke of Lenox, created in 1641 Duke of Richmond. 

§ Vide note to page 88. 

|| Basil Lord Fielding, afterwards second Earl of Denbigh, was 
thrice married, but left no issue. His second wife, here mentioned, 
was Barbara, daughter of Sir John Lamb, Knt. Dean of the Arches 
and Chancellor to the Queen-mother. She died April 2, 1642, and 
lies buried in Westminster Abbey. 

o2 



not know, or at lest pretended ignorans to every 
body : theare was nobody at the marage but the 
2 fathers, the man and the woman, and one doctor, 
at a church in London. The which daye thear had 
like to have bene a great duell fought on horse- 
back betwene my Lord of Holland and my Lord 
Nucasell ; * but, God be thanked ! by His marsy it 
was prevented, for they had fought 3 to 3, and it 
might have begott many quarels : it seams it was 
something about their cullears flying at the army ; 
but now all is well, and they good frends againe. 
The Knight Marshall should have bene second to 
my Lord Holland, and one M r Palms to my Lord 
Nucasell; and M r Walter Mountagu, taking a 
supposition on Sunday night upon seeing Palms 
with my Lord Holland, on Monday by daye light 
went to my Lord Holland, and hung on him like a 
bur that is not to be shaken oif, by which meanes 
before they could finde one to fight with him, they 
wear found out by my Lord Nuport and M r Wil- 
motte; but the brute first ran about the towne 
that it was my Lord Essex and Holland, because, 
as it seems, that M r Palms keeps much with Essex. 
Madam, I shude have sente yo r La? worde last 
weeke of 2 warrants that my husband has given, 
one to M r Fenne, our clarke, and one to M r Cosin, 

* Sir William Cavendish, successively created Earl, Marquis, and 
Duke of Newcastle. He died in 1676, aged 84 



293 

M r Treasurer's stuarde ; 'twas partly by my meanes. 
Madam, I now have the writing for the stuard- 
shepe of Aye from the atturney, and have sente it 
to M r Lucas for my Lord to present to the 
Queene for her hande, with telling him that, as soone 
as her Ma tie ' s hand was at it, I shude send to him 
again from you, meaning the hundred pound ; 
which he semed willing to understand, for his 
answer was, that if his Lord did not get theQueene's 
hand within 3 or 4 dayes, he wode returne it to me 
againe to presente to the Queene, for her hand 
must be to it before we can get the seales. So, 
Madam, yesterday I wrote to M r Fenne to pray 
him to provide a hundred pound against the end 
of this weeke or the begihing of the next; but 
he gave it to Josias, and I shall kepe it till next 
weeke that I reseave your plesure, though it be 
signed in the meane time ; and for M r Lucas's own 
rewarde, I shall, according to your directions, 
eyther give him what you plese, or tell him that 
you will be his debtor till Michaelmas tearme that 
you come up : but, Madam, the wrighting this 
makes me sweate, because we are so chargeable 
every way that I am ashamed of it. I pray God 
give us gras to be thankfull, and in good time to 
make good use of your love and favour to us, for, 
truly, Madam, many wod be wery of doing so 
much; for all which, with your huge kindnes, God 



294 

rewarde you ! And, my good Mother, I must now 
conclude with beging your prayers and blessing to 
and for us all, and so I humbly kis your hands as, 
Madam, 

Yo r LaP ,s tru affectionat daughter 
and humble sarvante, 

Eliza Cornwaleis. 

White-Hall, the 15 of August 1639. 

I beleve Charles will think M r Fenne's absence 
very long ; and, yf I had thought of his going there, 
I should have beged of your LaP that, going or com- 
ing, he might have looked upon our new purchase 
it is just as forward as the stuardeshepe, and yet, 
for aught I know, it may be a fortnight ere they get 
all the seales, because some of the lessees are yet 
out of towne. Madam, this is all the papers that 
has bene found about the chambor sins your going. 
George Elliote's sarvis must not be forgot. I say 
nothing of my husband, because he says he will 
write himselfe. I thanke God he is very well. 



CXCIV. 

anne lady meautys to jane lady bacon. 

My deare Sister, 

I give you manie thanks for your kind letter, 
which I receved by M r Meautys's ancient, who 
tells me he is very much your servant for your kind 



295 

intertanement of him, the which we both take 
really as done to ourselves. I understand by him 
my niece* is maried; I pray God make her happie, 
and I doe sincerely wish that all things may fall 
out to your contentment. This gentellman doth not 
fale to acquaint me how judissially carefull you 
are of the education of our sonne, and by his rela- 
tion gives me much hope and comfort of him: 
therfore, in the first degree, I render God the 
prayse for the present comfort, not doubting, if the 
Lord shall be pleased to increse the number of 
his dayes, your haveing layed soe good a founda- 
tion, but that the expectation of his futer time 
shall be blessed in honoring of his Maker ; and, 
secondly, in rendering you all humble and dutiefull 
thanks for your tender care and true affection 
which you have been pleased to bestow upon him. 
Thus, with my prayers to the Almightie for you 
and all yours, I kiss your hands, 

Yo r most affectionate and truly loving 

sister, ever to serve you, 

Anna Meautys. 

Hage, 19 of Maye 1641. 
* Anne Bacon, married to Thomas Meautys, Clerk of the Council. 



cxcv. 

sir f. cornwallis to jane lady bacon. 
My deere Mother, 

I am extream sensible of your La p ' s indisposition 
of health, and truly I should omitt so much of my 
dutie, if, with all the power I have, I should not 
importune you, even on my knees, to doe som- 
thing speedily for your La?' 3 preservation. Ma- 
dam, I heare by my sister, whome I have had time 
but just to see, and also by my wife's letters, that 
your La p is inclinable to a dropsie. I neede not 
tell you how dangerous that disease is, if not timely 
prevented; but, Madam, give me leave to desire 
you most humbly, if not for your own sake, yet for 
your children's sake, for my pore children's sake, 
nay, even for God's sake, that you will be pleased 
to come up to this towne and aske the advise of 
our phisitians here, who say that the waters at 
Tunbrige are extreame good for your condition. 
Madam, this I should have saide to you myselfe, 
but that in good faith we are here in such disorder, 
and nobody left, that the King will not let me bee 
awaie, not for a night ; but, as soon as I can get 
but two daies 1 libertie, I will not faile to be with 
you. Madam, I have but one thing more to say ; 
that is, humbly to beg, that, when your LaP hears of 
our greate disorders and troubles here, you will be 
pleased to believe that hitherto I have carried my- 



297 

selfe with a reasonable clear reputation on both 
sides, I meane the King's and Parliament's ; so I 
shall continue still to doe nothing that may render 
me unworthy either of my mother or countrie, or 
for your La p not still to esteem me, Madam, 
Y r most affectionately obedient childe, 

F. CORNWALLEIS. 

Whitehall, June 18, 1641. 

For my honored mother, the Lady Bacon. 

I refer for newes to Church his letter. 



CXCVI. 

lady cramond* to jane lady bacon. 

My deare Sister, 

I am exceeding sorry to heare of y r ill health, 
& much wonder y l you will not please to be 
pswaded by yo e frendes y* loue you to come to Lon- 
don, where certainly y e best help is to be had for 

* '' Elizabeth, eldest daughter of Sir Thomas Beaumont, of Stough- 
ton Grange, Leicestershire, Knight, widow of Sir John Ashburn- 
ham, Knight, by whom she had, besides other issue, John, ancestor to 
the Earls of Ashburnham, and Elizabeth, wife of Sir Frederick Corn- 
wallis. Having remarried Sir Thomas Richardson, Speaker of the 
House of Commons, in 1620, and afterwards Chief Justice of the 
King's Bench, she was in 1628 created Baroness of Cramond in Scot- 
land, for her life only, with remainder to the lieirs male of far second 
husband by a former wife. No reason is assigned for this strange 
limitation in the patent. But there was no issue of this second match ; 
and Lady Cramond deceasing in 1651, the title devolved on Thomas 
Richardson, the judge's grandson, and became extinct in 1 7 35, on the 
death of the fourth lord." — Wood's Peerage, vol. i. p. 363. 



298 

any infirmity, if it be not let goe to farr. Yo r 
La?" good daughter & mine was latlie here : she 
gott leaue for one night to come see her hus- 
band, who indeed made great moane for you, & 
tels me she feares you are inclined to a dropsie, 
my olde disease, w ch for your comfort, sweet Ma- 
dam, I thinke is easie to be cured, if you take it 
in time. I p'mised her to send to M r Hill for that 
electuary he gaue me, & send you some, w ch I 
did the next day; but, alas ! they brought me word 
he dyed before Christmas, w ch I neuer heard of: 
but my daughter Seruill saith, there is one M r 
Glasonby, at K ts bridge, y* is very exalent for y* 
cure. Poor Besse* is much greeued for you, & 
I know doth as truly loue you as any of y r owne 
children can do, as indeed she hath good cause, 
for y r exterordinary fauour, loue, & care towards 
her & her children ; & my selfe, Madam, amongst 
y r other frendes, do hartely wish y° health & all 
happines : therefore giue me leaue also to entreat 
yo r La p not to delay y e time too long to take ad- 
uise for yo r recouery, for y e good of many others 
beside yo r selfe, for I do beleeue there are few 
ladies in England whose death would be so great 
losse as yo re would be to yo r children & grand- 
children. Deere Madam, take care of yo e selfe, to 
y e comfort of many & of me, who am, Madam, 
Yo r La p ' s truly louing sister & saruant, 

January 28 [1641]. E. CRAMOND. 

* Lady Cornwallis. 



299 

I beseech your La p present my loue & saruice 
to S r Tho. Meautys & my Lady, if they be w th 
you, & my blessing to my grandchildren. 

To my much respected sister, the Lady Jane Bacon, at her house 
at Culford, these present. 



CXCVII. 
eliza lady cornwallis to jane lady bacon. 
Deere Mother, 

What to say to your busines I do not as yet 
know, for we are still fed with hopes, which to me 
are no satisfaction till I see performans; for all this 

weeke we have been tould by Lorde , that he 

wode do all that in him laye as much as for him- 
selfe, and that I shud never know all that he wod 
say to them, but if they shude go from their words, 
that then he wod have a bill put in, and then he 
wode make short worke with them. I desired 
that if theare were a meeting appoynted, that it 
might be heare in his chamber, that I and my 
brother might be theare too. I carried M r Fenne 
to him at his chamber heare on Friday, that he 
might be the better known to his Lordship, and 
tould him that he and your solissitor had no other 
busines in towne but the attendans of this : and 
every day sins M r Fenne has sought him at his 
chamber, and I in the galleries, and Josias at 
Westminster, yet we missed him, and still put 



BOO 

from day to day by one ocation or other that we 
coulde not exsepte against; and to night he 
tould me that M r Cappell had bene with him to 
day againe, and that Sir Tho. wod be in towne 
tomorrow, and that then they wod 4 or 5 of them 
meete aboute it, and that he need not doubt but 
that they shude make a good and peasable end, 
and that tomorrow night or Saturday they wode 
waite of his Lordship againe ; and my Lord has 
promised me that if theare be any meeting ap- 
poynted before him, which I tould him I ex- 
tremely desired, that he might see and judge of the 
justnes and resonablenes of the accounte, that I 
shude have notice of the time, and I wish words 
may be kept of all sides, which till I see done I 
cannot much credit. Madam, I ask your pardon 
for not giving you all this time an account of our 
cosin's husband ; truly I had it 2 or 3 times in my 
hede when I went to write, and still like a best 
forgot it : but, Madam, he had not the plas, for 
the Kinge wod not speake, nor ever did he say he 
wode, as it seemed ; for, when I came to put the 
Queene in minde of what they tould me she had 
already promised, she toulde me, No indeed, she 
had not promised at all, for all she said was to 
Doctor Caddiman that she wode speak to the 
King, but she was much afraid he wode not do it, 
because he did not love to do it. And now, my 
good Mother, with your pardon I also bege your 



301 

prayers and blessing to and for us all : so humbly 
kisse your hands as, Madame, 

Yo r La p,s true affectionate daughter 

and humble sarvante, 

Eliza Cornwaleis. 
My Earle of Cumberland * is dead, and, they say, 
the King of Spaine. Madame Wantletef and 
George Elliote presents there sarvis to your La p . 
Mine, I beseche yo r La p , to my brother and sister 
and our bairns. The King's children come to 
towne on Tuesday for all winter; the Prins and 
Duke York to Durham House, the two daughters 
and your master to Somerset. My Lady Shelton has 
the small pox ; they feared the Prins, but he is well. 
[1641.] 

CXCVIII. 

sir t. meautys to jane lady bacon. 

Deere Sister, 

The opertounytye faveringe the occation, after 
too years' space that I haue receued noe lynes 
from you, I woulde not pas by it w th out rytinge 
somethinge that maye onely let you knowe y 1 you 
haue a brother yet alyue and in health, to dooe y u 
service, and reddy to expres his loue vnto y u upon 

* Francis Clifford, fourth Earl of Cumberland, K.B., succeeded by 
his only surviving son Henry, who was the last heir male of tbat 
ancient house. 

t Lady Shelley's mother. 



302 

occation yf y u shall commande him. The tymes as 
they now are, or maye be, may invyte y u to vse me 
booth by waye of fact and counsell ; yf it dooe, I will 
not fayle y u in neather to the vtmost of my abilly- 
tye and power. Thus in haste I rest 

Y r affect' lovinge brother and servant, 

T. Meautys. 

Hage, the 28 of Aprill 1642. 

For my deere sister, the Lady Bacon, these. 



CXCIX. 

anne lady meautys to jane lady bacon. 

Deare Sister, 

The ernest desier I haue to heare of yo r health 
makes mee indeuore to find out y e securest meanes 
y* these lines may come w th saftie into yore handes, 
y e times afording mee soe conuenient an vpportu- 
nitie by y e occation of my neese Cornwalles * being 
here, whose sosietie is soe exceeding good, y 1 , were 
it not pregudiciall to hir y 1 1 soe much loue and 
honor, I wish I might allwayes inioy y e happienes 
of soe deserueing a friend ; but this age of mutil- 
letie permites vs noe sertintie of comfort long, and 
therefore w th patience I must condicend to what is 
determyned by y e greater Power. My neue Bacon -f- 
is very well, and is pleased some times to come 

* Sir Frederick Cornwallis's wife. 

•J* Nicholas, Lady Bacon's youngest son. 



303 

and visset his vnkle and mee. I should take it 
very well if y u would spare soe much time as to 
write to mee: 1 haue recomended diuers letters 
vnto y° sence I receued those monies w ch was due 
att Chrismas last, and likewise acknowlidgeing 
my selfe much ingaged to y° for yo r gift y° was 
pleased to send mee, and w th God's permission I 
will not deseest in my prayers y* Hee would re- 
store it againe to y° and yo rs y e good y 1 you are 
pleased to doe to mee and mine. Now I desier y°, 
deare Sister, y 1 monies, w ch will be due att Mid- 
somer next, y° will bee pleased to giue order to 
him y 1 y° shall command, y* I may receue it 
against y e day, in y* M r Meautys hath disposed of 
those monies to my youse and my children's, and y' 
those monies may bee retorned vnto mee according 
to y* rate y* y e exchange is now att, and by y e same 
partie y* I receued it last of. Thus, commiting y° 
and all yo rs into y e protection of y e Allmightie, I 
conclude now and euer to bee 

Yo r most affectshonate loueing sister 

to serue y° to my end, 

Anna Meautys. 

Hage, the 25 th of Maye 1642. 

My deare sister, the Lady Bacon, at Colford, these. 



304 



CC. 

the same to the same. 

Deare Sister, 

Allthough I cannot bee soe happie to receiue 
yo e lines, yett yo e kind rememberance hath not 
failed to give mee an assured testimonie of yo e 
ferme and conciderable affection in condicending 
vnto my request, coming in a time soe acceptable, 
y*, had it not bine, I and mine had not had where 
w th all to haue subsisted ; therefore thinke y 1 y e haue 
releeued soe many dieing soules, w ch had suffered, 
had not God ordained y° to bee y e meanes of our 
presaruation. To this day my husband is still att 
Arnheim, and is so misearablely intreted by there 
iniustice, y 1 in this spase of a yeare hee hath not 
bine able to send mee any monie or to come vnto 
mee, and through his heuie troubbles and wantes 
hee is grone very sickelie, and hath of late bine soe 
extreme ill, y* those y* ware neere him was doubt- 
full of his recouerie ; and allthough it is in these 
partes ill trauelling in y e winter sesone, y et I doe 
intend to goe and see him, and to leaue my ehill- 
dren att my howse in y e Hage vntill my retorne, 
for there is noe venturing to take them w th me ; but 
my resolution is to come suddinelie bake againe. 
Thus, w th my prayers vnto the Allmightie to pre- 
sarue y° and all yo rs in these dangerous times from 



305 

all calamities, I commit yo vnto His protection, 
and rest Yo' most affectshonatt sister to my end, 

Anna Meautys. 

Hage, y e 5 th of Jenuary, y e nue stile, 1644. 

To my most deare and much honoured sister, the Lady Bacon, att 
Culford. 




BROME HALL, 1620. 



INDEX. 



Admiral, the Lord, 192. 

Alloa, xvii. 

Ambassador, Dutch, 182 ; Lord, 

183. 
Andover, Lord, 141, and n. 
Anglesea, Charles, Earl of, 205, n. 
Annables, 223, n. 
Archdeacon, the, 95. 
Archduchess, the, 201. 
Armingland, 200. 
Arnheim, 80. 286. 289. 304. 
Arpe, Mrs. 284 and n. 290. " 
Arran, Earl of, 58 and n. 79 and n. 
Arundel, Earl of, 50 and n. 78 and 

n. 91 and n. 146, n. 151. 158. 

163. 257 and n. 258 and n. 
Ashburnham, Sir John, xxvii. 

297, n. 
Ashburnham, Earls of, ib. n. 
Ashburnham, Elizabeth, ib. 
Askow, Thomas, Anne, 276, n. 
Astley, Sir Jacob, 162, n. 
Attleburgh, 276, n. 
Attorney- General, 172. 
Attorney- General of Court of 

Wards, ib. 
Audley End, xi. n. 237, n. 
Aylesbury, Earl of, 78, n. 

Bacon, Nathaniel, iii. x. xii. xiii. xiv. 
xv. xvi. 1 and n. 3, 4. 7, 8. 10, 
11. 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 
20, 21, 22, 23 26. 30. 33, 34, 
35, 36. 41, 42. 46, 47, 48, 49, 
50, 51, 52. 57, 58. 63. 65. 67. 
71. 74. 77. 79. 81, 82, 83, 84. 
86, 87. 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 
97, n. 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 
103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 
109, 110, 111, 112, 113. 118. 
121, 122. 127. 131. 134, 136, 
137, 138. 140, 141, 142, 143, 
144. 147, 148. 161. 164, 165, 
166. 168. 170. 175. 178, 179, 
180, 181. 183, 184. 194 and n. ; 
his bust and epitaph, xvi. 

Bacon, Jane, Lady, iii. iv. vi. ix. 



x. xi. xii. xv. and n. xvi. xviii. 
xix. xx. xxi. xxv. xxvi. xxvii. 
xxviii. xxix. xxx. 137, 138. 140, 
141,. 142, 143, 1.44, 145. 148, 
149. 151. 153, 154. 156, 157. 
159, 162. 164, 165. 167, 168, 
169. 170. 173. 175, 176. 178. 
180, 183, 184. 186. 189, 190, 
191, 192, 193. 195, 196. 198, 
199, 200.202,203,204. 206V n. 
207. 210. 212, 213, 214, 215, 
216, 217, 218. 220. 222, 223, 
224, 225, 226, 227, 228, 229, 
230, 231. 232. 234, 235, 236, 
237, 238, 239. 243. 245, 246, 
247. 250, 251, 252, 253, 254, 
255, 256, 257, 258, 259, 260, 
261, 262. 264, 265, 266, 267, 
268. 270. 273, 274. 276, and n. 
277, 278, 279, 280, 281. 285, 
286, 287. 289. 294. 296, 297. 
299. 201, 302, 303. 305 ; por- 
trait of, xi. n. See Cornwallis. 

Bacon, Nicholas, xv. xvi. 29. 105. 
191. 194. 273, 274. 278, 279. 
302. 

Bacon, Nicholas, of Gillingham, 
97 and n. 

Bacon monument, xi. xii. xiii. 

Bacon, Anne, Lady, xiv. xv. 4. 9, 
10, 11. 15, 16. 18, 19.22. 

Bacon, Sir Edmund, Bart. 65. 161, 
162. 189, 190, 191. 193.254. 

Bacon, Sir Nicholas, xiii. xv. 2, 3. 
5. 7, 8, 9. 17, n. 50 and n. 81, 
n. 94 and n. 

Bacon, Anne, xv. xxvi. 108. 162,n. 
276. 295 and n. 

Bacon, Henry, 81 and n. 

Bacon, Jane, xv. 140. 165. 

Bacon, Lord Chancellor, xxvi. 149 
and n. 

Bagshot, 243 and n. 

Banning, Paul, Viscount, 205, n. 

Banning, Anne, Viscountess, ib. 

Barrie, Mr. 190. 

Barrington, Lady, 201. 208, 209. 






INDEX. 



307 



213. 220. 223 and n. 224, 225, 

226, 227. 247. 
Barrington, Sir Thomas, 208. 
Barrington Hall, 223, n. 
Bath, Mary, Countess of, xxi. xxii. 

xxiii. xxiv. 54, 55, 56. 64, 65. 

67, 68. 71. 
Bath, W. Earl of, xxi. xxii. xxiii. 

xxiv. 68. 
Bath, John, Earl of, xxi. and n. 
Bathing, ceremony of, 139 and n. 
Beaumont, Sir Thomas, 297, n. 
Bedford, Lucy, Countess of, iv. 

xiv. xvii. xviii. xix. xx. xxi. 18 

and n. 20, 21 and n. 23, 24, 

25, n. 26. 28. 30. 33, 34, 35. 

37, 38. 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, n. 

46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53 

and n. 55, n. 56. 58, 59. 62, 

63. 65. 67. 71, 72 74, 75. 77, 

78, n. 79. 81, 82, 83, 84. 86, 

87. 90. 100. 108. Ill, 112. 

118. 120, 121, 122. 125. 131. 

140, 141. 143. 145. 147. 165. 

168 and n. 169. 173. 
Bedford, Francis, 2nd Earl of, xx. 

xxii. n. 
Bedford, Edward, 3rd Earl of, xvii. 

xviii. 28. 173. 
Bedford, Francis, 4th Earl of, 220. 
Bergen op Zoom, 241. 
Bind on, Viscount, 88, n. 
Bohemia, Elizabeth, Queen of, 26. 

40. 43. 132, n. 183,257 and n. 

258, 259. 262. 273. 275. 286. 
Bohemia, King of, 183. 252. 280,n. 
Boreley, 242, n. 
Boteler, Eliza, 169, n. 
Boteler, Sir John, ib. 
Bradfield, 205, n. 
Brentwood, 164. 
Bridge water, John, Earl of, 213 

and n. 272, n. 
Brill, the, 258. 
Bristol, Earl of, 163 and n. 
Brome, iii. ix. x. xi. n. xiv. xv. xvi. 

22. 24. 40. 94. 96. 101. n. 124. 

144. 162. 164. 175. 193. 200. 

203. 231. 234. 246, 247. 249. 

255 ; household book at, 53, n. 



Brooke, Fulke, Lord, 1 96 and n. 
Brownrigg, Ralph, 278, n. 
Bruce, Thomas, Lord, 78, n. 
Buckingham, Villiers, Duke of, 44. 

73. 86. 90. 126. 143 and n. 

151. 156. 158 and n. 159, n. 

160. 171. 177. 180 and n. 186 
andn. 193. 201. 237, n. 

Buckingham, Duchess of, 261 

and n. 
Burnebye, Sir Richard, xxv. 114. 

202. 216 and n. 
Burnebye, Susan, 196. 198 and n. 

199. 202 andn. 
Bury St. Edmund's, 69 99. 161. 

164. 194. 205, n. 
Bury St. Edmund's Abbey, 91. 
Butler, of Bramfield, Lord, 287 n. 
Butler, Lady, 159 and n. 
Butler, Sir John, ib. 
Butts, Sir William, xv. 162, n. 
Butts, Anne, ib. 
Buxhall, 225, n. 
Byshe, Lady, 207, n. 

Cadiz, 137, n. 

Caddiman, Dr. 290. 300. 

Calais, 41. 

Cambray, 282. 

Cambridge, 161 and n. 

Capel, Mr. 299. 

Capel, Sir A. 285 and n. 

Carlisle, Henry, Earl of, 204 and 

n. 284 and n. 
Castell, Sir John, 239. 
Catherine Hall, 278, n. 
Caesar, Sir C. 248 and n. 
Cecil, SirE. 137 andn. 152. 
Chamberlain, Lord, 125, 126. 128. 
Chandos, Lord, 45 and n. 
Charles Prince of Wales, xxvii. 

37, n. 91.301. 
Charles, King, xxvii. xxviii. xxx. n. 

125, 126. 137, 138.140. 144,n. 

146, 147, n. 151. 157 and n. 

161. 163. 177, 178. 185, 186 
andn. 189, 190 193, 1D4.197. 
205, 212 and n. 217, 218. 220 
and n. 230. 233, 234, •_>:i5. 2:56. 
237,11.239.243,244.247,248, 



308 



INDEX. 



n. 249. 255. 261. 266 and n. 

280. 288. 296. 298. 300, 301. 
Chelmsford, 16. 
Chelsea, 145, n. 
Chetwin, Mr. 151. 
Chevreux, Duke of, 127. 
Chichester, 211 and n. 
Chichester, Sir Robert, 44, n. 57, 

58, 76. 78 and n. 
Chichester, Miss, 57, 58, n. 76. 79. 
Chichester, Ann, Lady, 44, n. 
Chilton, 175, n. 
Chitting, Mr. 113 and n. 208. 

242. 248. 
Chittock, Mr. 83. 
Chivalry, Court of, 243 and n. 
Christ Church, xxviii. 
Clare, Earl of, 220. 
Claxton, Mr. 164. 176. 222 and n. 
Claxton, Mrs. 164. 
Clerkenwell, 182. 
Cleveland, Earl of, 150, n. 157 

and n. 175. 188. 195. 216. 
Cleveland, Countess of, 157 and n. 

175 and n. 188. 
Clifford, Ann, xvii. n. 
Clifton, Sir G. 207 and n. 
Clifton, Gervase, Lord, 90 and n. 
Cobham, Lord, 225, n. 
Cobham, 179 and n. 
Cock, Mr. 109. 
Cockpit, the, 89. 
Colchester, 133. 164. 203. 
Coleby, Mr. 92 and n. 113. 
Colona, Don Carlos de, 212. 
Combe, xix. 44 and n. 76. 
Comus, Masque of, 213, n. 
Conyngsby, Sir Henry,xxvi. 169, n. 
Conyngsby, Elizabeth, ib. 247, n. 
Cooke, Pedigree of, 1 32, n. 
Cooke, Anne, 12, n. 14. 
Cooke, Richard, ix. 12, n. 
Cooke,. Lady, 96. 102, 103, 104. 

132 and n. 218. 
Cooke, Philippe, ix. Ill, n. See 

Cotton. 
Cooke, Sir Edward, 144. 
Copinger, 225. 

Copinger, Pedigree of, 225, n. 
Copinger, Ursula, xxx. and n. 



Cornwallis, Jane, Lady, xiv. 1 
and n. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. 9, 10 
andn. 11, 12. 14, 15, 16, 17, 
18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24. 27, 
28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33. 35, 36, 
37, 38, 39, 40, 41. 43. 46. 48, 
49. 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56. 58, 
59. 62, 63, 64, 65. 67, 68. 71, 
72. 74, 75. 77, 79. 81, 82, 83, 
84. 86, 87. 91, 92, 93. 95, 96. 
98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 
104, 105, 106, 107. 109, 110, 
111, 112. 114, 115. 117, 118. 
121. 123, 124, 125. 131. 133, 
134, 135, 136, 137. 183. See 
Bacon, Lady. 

Cornwallis, Sir Thomas, xxii. n. 
xxiii. xxiv. 

Cornwallis, Charles, 2nd Marquis, 
iii. 

Cornwallis, Sir Frederick, ix. x. xi. 
xvii. xxviii. xxix. 27. 135. 151. 
171. 173,174, 175. 196. 206, n. 
216. 221. 230, 231. 234, 235. 
245, 246, 247, 248. 255. 257, 
258, 259, 260. 262. 266, 267. 
269. 272. 279 and n. 280, 281. 
285. 290. 293. 296, 297. 

Cornwallis, Eliza, Lady, 231, 232. 
234. 238, 239. 247, 248, 249. 
255 265. 267, 268, 269, 270. 
273. 279 and n. 281. 284. 287. 
289, 290. 293, 294. 299. 301, 
302. 

Cornwallis, Mary, see Countess of 
Bath. 

Cornwallis, Sir William, iii. ix. xi. 
xxvii. n. 1. 97, n. 181. 

Cornwallis, Sir Thomas, xxiii. xxiv. 
64, n. 68, n. 97, n. 

Cornwallis, Sir Charles, xxiii. 3 
and n. 97 and n. 103. 

Cornwallis, Alice, xxii. n. 

Cornwallis, Thomas, 70. 

Cornwallis, Robin, 64 and n. 

Cornwallis, Charles, 266. 

Cornwallis, Harriet, 291. 

Coronation, the, 138. 140. 

Cosin, Mr. 292. 

Cottington, Sir Francis, 212 and n. 



INDEX. 



309 



Cotton, Thomas, xxvi. 153 and n. 
Cotton, Bartholomew, ib. 
Cotton, Mr. 162. 
Cotton, Philippe, lll,n. 155 and 

n. 166. 168. See Cooke. 
Cotton, Sir Robert, 220. 
Coventry, 110, lll,n. 114. 123, 

124. 168. 210. 212. 
Cramond, Eliza, Lady, 297, 298 

and n. 
Crane, Sir Robert, 171. 174, 175 

and n. 
Craven, Earl, 44 n. 
Craven, Lord William, 241 and n. 
Crawley, 169,n. 
Croftes, Sir John, 157, n. 175. 

197 and n. 
Croftes, Lady, 197. 
Croftes, John, 29, n. 
Croftes, Sir Henry, xxix. 
Cuckow, Mr. 14. 
Culford, iii. x. xi. xiv. xv. xvi. 

18, 19, 20, 21. 95. 110. 156. 

161.169. 194, n. 222. 226. 290. 
Curteen, Sir William, 209 and n. 

213.221.225. 
Cumberland, Francis, Earl of, 301 

and n. 
Cumberland, Countess of, xxii. n. 

Dacre, F. Lord, 205, n. 

Dacre, E. Lady, ib. 

Darcey, Mrs. 97. 

Darnley, Earl of, 197, n. 

Davison, Francis, xxii. 

Deake, Mr. 153. 

Delpht, 258. 

Denbigh, Countess of, 237, 238. 

291. 
Denbigh, Earl of, 237, n. 29.1. 
Denmark, King of, 23 and n. 216,n. 
Denmark House, 125. 218. 
Derby, F. Earl of, 213, n. 
Devonshire, W. Earl of, 1 93 and n. 
Digby, Mr. 197. 
Digges, Sir D. 159, n. 
Diss, 151, 257, n. 
Dixon, Mrs. 168 and n. 173. 207. 
Dodsworth, Margaret, 254, n. 
Doncaster, Viscount, 204, n. 



Dorchester, Viscount, 205, n. 206, 

251. 
Dorchester, Marquis of, 205, n. 
Dorchester, Cecily, Marchioness 

of, 205, n. 
Dorchester, Lady, 251. 
Dormer, Mr. 93. 
Dorset, Earl of, 184. 186 and n. 

205, 206. 
Dover, Lord, 280. 
Dover, Mayor of, 253. 
Dnimmond, Patrick, 30, n. 
Drurv, Lady, 97. 109. 
Drury, Sir Drue, 156. 171. 174, 

175. 222. 
Dudley, Sir Robert, 220, n. 
Duke, Dr. 164. 
Dunkirk, 133. 143. 
Dunluce, Lord, 261 and n. 
Dunsmore, Lord, 211 and n. 
Durham House, 301. 

Edmonds, Sir Thomas, 201. 
Egerton, Lady Alice, 213, n. 
Elector Palatine, Charles, 280 and 

n. 282. 
Eliot, Sir John, 159 and n. 
Elizabeth, Queen, 125. 
Elliott, G. 239. 272. 294. 301. 
Eltenhead, Ned, 139. 
Elviston, John, 30. 
Emperor, the, 216. 
Essex, Earl of, 137. 139 and n. 

292. 
Esterford, 164, 165. 
Exchequer, Barons of, 191. 
Exchequer, Chancellor of, 38. 
Exeter, Thomas, Earl of, 30, n. 

137, n. 
Eye, xxviii. 

Eye, Bailiff of, 101 and n. 
Exton, xviii. 24, 25. 65, n. . 

Felton, Sir A. 92 and n. 

Felton, Sir H. ib. 

Fenne,John, 94. 102. 127, 128. 

190. 292. 294. 299. 
Fielding, Basil, Lord, 291 and n. 
Fleet, Spanish, 244. 



310 



INDEX. 



France, King of, 108. 117. 127. 

137, 138. 140. 197. 
Frankfort, 241. 
Fraser, Sir Thomas, 79. 
Fullerton, Sir James, 216. 

Gabrielle, Madame, 242. 

Garman, Mr. 266. (Qy. Jermyn.) 

Gawdy, Bass, 109 and n. 

Gawdy, Sir B. 92, n. 95, n. 

Gawdy, Charles, 132, n. 

Gawdy, Dorothy, 92, n. 

Gawdy, Ann, 95 and n. 101 and n. 

Gerbier, Sir B, 201 and n. 

Gidea Hall, ix. 

Gillingham, 97, n. 

Glemham, Sir H. 205, n. 

Glemham, Ann, 187. 196 and n. 

Glasonby, Mr. 298. 

Glover, Mrs. 98. 158. 186, 187. 

Glover, Mr. 117. 127. 154. 158, n. 

Grenegate, ix. 

Goodwinne, Sir F. 49 and n. 

Goodyere, Sir H. 132, n. 

Gordon, Mr. 283. 

Gorge, Arthur, 205, n. 

Gorge, Mary, ib. 

Gorhambury, xiv. xxv. n. xxvi. 

Goring, Lord, 218 and n. 259.280. 

Gosfield, 157, n. 

Go wry Conspiracy, 139, n. 

Grandison, W. Viscount, 205, n. 

Grandison, Mary, Viscountess, ib. 

Granger, iv. 

Gray's Inn, 278, n. 

Greenhill, Mr. 102, 103, n. 210. 

265. 
Greenwich, 100. 163. 247. 
Grimston, Sir Harbottle, xxvii. 

205 and n. 
Grimston, Lady, xxvii. n. See 

Bacon, Ann. 
Gustavus Adolphus, 240, 241 and 

n. 244, n. 

Haarleem, 209, n. 
Hackney, 254. 
Hadington, Viscount, 1 39, n. 
Hague, the, 42. 184. 257, 258, 
290.303, 304. 



Hamburgh, 117. 
Ham, West, ix. 247, n. 
Hamilton, James, Marquis of, 79 

and n. 90. 118 and n. 128 and 

n. 241 and n. 
Hampton Court, 195. 281, 
Hanworth, 113, n. 
Hare, Eliza, 176, n. 
Harington House, 112. 
Harling, 95, n. 
Harrington, Ann, Lady, xvii. 44, n. 

65 and n. 66. 78 and n. 
Harrington, Bridget, 25, n. 
Harrington, John, 1st Lord, xvii. 

29 and n. 44, n. 65, n. 66. 
Harrington, John, 2nd Lord, xvii. 

21 and n. 
Harrington, Sir Henry, 29, n. 
Harrington, Sir John, ib. 
Harrington, Sir James, 25, n. 
Harrington, Sir William, xviii. 18, 

n. 
Hastings, Lord, 162, n. 
Hatton, Lady, 207, n. 
Hawnes, 23, n. 
Haywood, Mr. 196, n. 
Haywood Forest, 213, n. 
Hengrave, 70. 

Hengrave, History of, 97, n. 
Henley, James, 91. 93. 
Henry IV. of France, 242. 
Herbert, Lord, of Cherbury, 272, n. 
Herbert, Mary, Lady, 272 and n. 
Hertford, 175. 
Hide Park, 247. 260. 
Hill, Mr. 298. 
Holbein, xix. 50. 
Holborn, 93. 

Holdernesse, Lord, 139 andTk 
Holland, Earl of, 122, n. 140. 218. 

261. 292. 
Holland, Lady, 282. 
Howard, Thomas, 287, 288. 
Hunsdon, Cary, Lord, 280 and n. 
Huntingdon, 23. 
Huntingdon, Earl of, Henry, 24 

and n. 
Hurley, 264, n. 

Ipswich, xvi. 



INDEX. 



311 



James I., King, xvi. 23, n. 24. 

26. 36. 45. 47. 50. 52. 57, 58. 

63. 97, 98. 120. 128 and n. 

139, n. 276, n. 
Jenithrope, Sir J. 285. 
Jermyn, Lady, 113. 
Jermyn, Sir Thomas, 1 13, n. 225, n. 
Jermyn, Sir Henry, 205 and n. 
Jerusalem, 81, n. 
Julyers, 33. 

Kellett, Mr. 187. 193. 

Kelway, Robert, xvii. 29, n. 44, n. 

122. 
Kendrick, Mrs. 46. 
Kensington, Lord, 122 and n. 123. 
Kensington, 260. 
Killigrew, Thomas, 29 and n. 
Killigrew, Sir W. 113, n. 
Killigrew, Katharine, ib. 
Killigrew, Henry, 1 7 and n 
Killigrew, Sir Joseph, 17, n. 
Killigrew, Sir Robert, 272, n. 
Knebworth, 223. 
Knightsbridge, 297. 
Kytson, Lady, xxi. 97, n. xxii. n. 

xxiii. 
Kytson, Sir Thomas, xxi. xxii. xxiii. 

Lamb, Sir John, 291, n. 

Latimer, John, Lord, xi. n. 

Laud, Archbishop, Diary of, 257, n. 

Laurence, Mr. 289. 

Leadenhall, ix. 

Leicester, 72. 

Leicester, Earl of, 63, n. 

Leigh, Sir Francis, 211 and n. 

Leipsic, 239, 240, 241, n. 

Lenox, Lady of, 90 and n. 100. 

Lenox, Lord of, ib. 

Lenox, Duke of, 100, n. 197, n. 

Lenox, Duke and Duchess of, 291. 

Ley, Lord, 141, n. 

Littleton, 100. 

Livermere, 164, 222 and n. 

Long, Bridget, 128, 129. 202 and 

n. 203. 218. 228,229. 
Long, Mr. 128, 129. 203. 214. 

216. 227. 229. 



London, Juxon, Bishop of, 220. 

284 and n. 
Lorn, Lord, 146, n. 
Lovelace, Lord, 254 and n. 
Lucas, Mr. 293. 
Ludgate Hill, 193. 
Lyndsey, Lord, 243. 
Lytton, Sir Rowland, 223, n. 

Magdeburgh, 240. 250. 
Maitland, Mary, 30, n. 
Maitland, Sir W. ib. 
Maltravers, Lord, 142 and n. 280. 
Manchester, 141 and n. 
Manners, Lady Cath. 261, n. 
Mansfeld, Count, 117. 
Markham, Frances, 25 and n. 280. 
Markham, Sir Anth. 25, n. 
Marlborough, Ley Earl of, 141, n. 
Marshal, the Earl, 136. 142. 146. 

280. 
Marshal, the Knight, 292. 
Marten, Sir Henry, 254, n. 
Massey, Lord, 244. 
Mawborne Hills, 21. 
May erne, Sir Theodore, 41. 145, 

and n. 
Mayor, Lord, 138. 
Meautys, Sir Thomas, xxv. and n. 

27, 28. 31. 33. 36. 39. 79, 80. 

106, 107. Ill, 112. 114, 11.5. 

123, 124. 133, 134. 155. 167. 

169. 180. 182, 183, 184. 196. 

214, 215. 228. 252, 253. 256. 

277, 278. 290. 294. 300, 301, 

302. 
Meautys, John, ix. 
Meautys, Thomas, Clerk of the 

Council, xxv. and n. xxvi. xxvii. 

138. 140. 144, 145. 148, 149, 

150, 151. 153, 154, 155, 156, 

157, 158, 159. 161, 162. 164. 

166. 168, 169, 170. 173, 174, 

175, 176. 178, 179. 184. 186. 

J 89. 192, 193. 195. 199, 200, 

201. 210. 212, 213. 216, 217, 

218, 219. 222. 228. 299. 
Meautys, Sir Peter, ix. xx. 217 

and n. 
Meautys, Ann, Lady, xxv. 98, n. 



312 



INDEX. 



153.202. 216,n.256,262,263, 

264, 265, 266. 294, 295, n. 302, 

303, 304, 305. 
Meautys, Hercules, ix. xxvi. 180. 

198. 202, 203. 214, 215, 216. 

228, 229. 266. 276, 277. 287. 

295. 
Meautys, Henry, xxvi. 176 and n. 
Meautys, Eliza, 176, n. 
Medlye, 141. 
Melton Constable, 162, n. 
Michael's, St. Church, (St. Alban's,) 

xxvii. 149, n. 
Michel Grove, 284, n. 
Milton, J. 213, n. 
Mims, North, xxvi. 169, n. 
Monmouth, Cary, Earl of, 37, n. 

141, n. 
Monson, Sir Thomas, 30 and n. 
Montagu, Sir Charles, 207, n. 
Montagu, Walter, 292. 
Monteagle, Lord, 30 and n. 45. 49. 
More Lodge, 38. 43. 47. 72. 131. 
More Park, xviii. 122, 123. 212 

and n. 
Morgan, Sir C. 216 and n. 241. 
Morse, Mr. 94 and n. 113. 160. 

162. 191. 193. 196. 245. 281, 

282. 288. 
Murdoch, Mr. 104. 
Mulgrave, S. Earl of, 141, n. 
Murray, Henry, 205, n. 273. 

Nethersole, Sir F. and Lady, 132 

and n. 200. 241. 
Neville, Lucy, xi. n. 97, n. 
Newcastle, Earl of, 87, n. 292. 
Newmarket, 50. 157. 231. 235, 

236, 237. 241. 282. 
Newport, Lord, 287, n. 292. 
Newport, Lady, 287 and n. 
Nicolas, Sir Harris, xxii. 
North, Dudley, Lord, 207 and n. 
North, Lady, ib. 

Northampton, Henry, Earl of, 87, n. 
Norton, Sir Richard, 29, n. 
Norwich, 46. 94. 

Oakley, ix. x. xi. n. 
Oatlands, 288. and n. 



Ogle, Col. 154. 

Orange, Prince of, xxv. 183. 212. 

275. 
Ordsall (Notts), 276, n. 
Overbury, Sir Thomas, 34. 
Oxford, Geoffrey, Earl of, 1 60, n. 
Oxford University, 244, n. 
Oxford, xxviii. 

Palgrave, x. 1 and n. 10, 11. 

Palms, Mr. 292. 

Papenheim, 250. 

Parr, Elnathan, 1 and n. 2, 3, 4. 9, 

10. 13. 102. 
Parr, Mrs. 102. 

Paulett, Lord Henry, 141 and n. 
Payne, Mr. 93. 106, 107. 
Peacham, xiv. 
Peade, Mr. 91. 111. 
Pearse, Mr. 101. 
Peers, Creation of, 141 and n. 
Pembroke, W. Earl of, 63, n. 65, n. 
Pembroke, Philip, Earl of, 212, n. 
Playford, 92, n. 
Playters, Sir W. 205 and n. 210. 

221. 
Pennant, iv. xvii. xix. 
Porter, Mr. 98. 
Potts,. Mr. 278. 
Puckeridge, 139. 
Purser, G. 91. 

Queen Ann of Denmark, xvii. 23, 

24. 36, 37, n. 41 and n. 44. 48. 

57. 63 and n. 
Queen Henrietta Maria, 137, 138. 

201. 205, n. 217, 218, 230. 233. 

235, 236, 237, n. 238. 243. 249. 

255. 266. 271. 280. 284. 288. 
293. 300. 

Quester, Mr. 13. 15. 

Radcliffe, Sir A. 32, n. 73. 117, n. 

256. 262. 264. 

Radcliffe, Frances, Lady, 32, n. 

256. 262. 264. 276. 
Radcliffe, Sir John, 116. 
Ramsay, John, 1 39, n. 
Ramsey, 244. 
Randolph Pedigree, xxx. 



INDEX. 



313 



Randolph, Ambrose, xxx. xxxi. 
151. 170. 196, 197. 203, -204. 
206, 207. 221. 227. 239. 242, 
243. 245. 247. 

Randolph, Dorothv,xxx. xxxi. 131, 
132. 200, 20 f. 203, 204. 206 
and n. 207. 210.213, 214.220, 
221. 224, 225, 226, 227. 232, 
233. 246, 247, 248. 255. 

Reay, Lord, 244, n. 

Redgrave, xiii. xv. n. 84. 190. 

Retz, Isle of, 196. 

Richardson, Sir T. 297, n. 

Richmond, Frances, Duchess of, 88 
and n. 90. 273. 

Richmond, Duchess of, 291 and n. 

Richmond and Lenox, Duke of, 
87 and n. 88, 291 and n. 

Rickmansworth, 83. 

Riddlesworth, 169. 

Rine, 252. 

Rivers, Earl of, 261 n. 280. 

Rochelle, 138. 140. 

Roe, Sir Thomas, 244 and n. 

Rohan, Due de, 138. 

Rokewode, J. G. Esq. vi. vii. 

Rosseter, Mr. 39. 

Rosseter, Ensign, 109. 

Roxborough, Lord, 30 and n. 

Roxborough, Lady, ib. 34. 37.44. 48. 

Rubens, 201. 

Rushbrook, 225, n. 

Russell, Mr. 46. 

Rutland, 23. 28. 

Salmon, Mr. 80. 
Savage, Lord, 261 and n. 280. 
Savage, Sir Thomas, 261, n. 
Saxe, Duke of, 239, 240. 251. 
Saxham, xxviii. 157, n. 175 and 

n. 197, n. 
Sedgebrooke, 25, n. 
Semer, Miss, 284. 
Serville, Mrs. 298. 
Shelley, Sir T. 284, n. 290. 
Shelley, Lady, 290. 
Shelley, Sir W. 284. 
Shelton, Lady, 301. 
Shepy, Countess of, 205, n. 
Short, Mr. 92. 1 94. 242. 



Shrewsburjr, G. Earl of, 65, n. 
Shute, Frances, 32 and n. 
Sibbs, R., DD. 278 and n. 279. 
Smalbridge, 109, n. 
Smith, Sir G. 223, n. 
Smith, Lady, 156. 
Smith, Mr. 214. 
Somerset, C. Earl of, 220. 
Somerset, Countess of, 34 and n. 

36 and n. 
Somerset House, 300. 
Sotterley, 205, n. 
Soubise, Monsieur, 138. 
Spa, the, 40. 45. 
Spain, King of, 98. 275. 301 . 
Spencer, Lord, 78 and n. 
Spencer, Lady, ib. 
Spring, Sir William, 242. 
St. Alban's, Henry, Earl of, 1 1 3, n. 

205, n. 
St. Alban's, (Bacon,) Lord of, 149 

andn. 188. 
St. George, Sir Henry, 213. 
St. John, Mr. 220. 
Stafford, Sir Thomas, 239. 272 

and n. 284. 
Stafford House, 272, n. 
Stanhope, Mr. 95. 101, n. 
Stanhope, Mrs. ib. 
Stanley, Lady F. 213, n. 
Starston, 153, n. 
Stepney, xvii. 
Stewart, Lord, 128 and n. 
Stiffkev, xiii. 
Stoke, 167. 

Stonehouse, Sir George, 254, n. 
Stoughton Grange, 297, n. 
Stourton, Sir W. 141 and n. 
Stratford-on-Avon, 272, n. 
Stuart, Esme, Lord, 90, n. 
Stuart, Catherine, Lady, ib. 
Stuart, Lady Elizabeth, 146, n. 
Stutton, x. 

Suckling, Sir John, 197, and n. 
Suffolk, Thomas, Earl of, 161, n. 
Sussex, Earl of, 1 14. 153, n. 
Sussex, Robert, Earl of, 276, n. 
Sussex, Countess of, 1 12 and n. 

114. 149. 153, n. 180. 215. 
Sweden, King of, 216. 

p 



IVK1 



314 






INDEX. 



Sydenham, Sir E. 132, n. 218. 

Temple, Sir W. xviii. 

Theobalds, 120. 281. 288. 

Thetford, 52. 91. 

Thompson, Robert, 169 and n. 

Thompson, Mrs. 169. 

Thompson Pedigree, ib. 

Thornage, xv. 162 and n. 

Thorpe Abbots, xxiv. 68 andn. 71. 

Thrandeston, x. 

Tilley, Mr. 239, 240, 241 and n. 

Toddington, 156 and n. 175. 

Totness, C. Earl of, 141, n. 

Townshend, Lords, xiii. 

Tryon, Miss, 209, n. 

Twickenham, 18. 

Twickenham Park, xviii. 1 8 and n. 

Tucker, Mrs. 169. 

Uvedale, Lady, 29 and n. 
Uvedale, Sir William, 29, n. 

Valladolid, 212, n. 
Vanderburgh, 212. 
Vandelet, Sir J. 284, n. 
Vandelet, Lady, 301. 
Vandelet, Christiana, 284, n. 
Vandomer, xxv. n. 
Vendome, Duke of, 242, 243. 245. 
Vere, Lord of Tilbury, 141, n. 150, 

n. 154. 182. 
Vernon, Mr. 194. 
Villiers, Sir George, 237, n. 
Villiers, Mrs. 239, 266. 

Waldegrave, Sir E. 17, n. 109 

andn. 
Waldegrave> Lady, 97. 109 and n. 

274. 
Wales, Charles Prince of, 300. 
Walgrave, Nicholas, 242, n. 
Walpole, Horace, xiii. xiv. xv. 



Walter, David, 205, n. 
Warwick, Dudley, Earl of, 44, n. 
Warwick,Henry, Earl of, 122 and n. 
Warwick, Robert, Earl of, 133 and 

n. 134. 
Watton Woodhall, 169, n. 
Wentworth, Lord, 141 and n. 150. 
Wentworth, Sir John, 157, n. 
West, Mrs. 248. 
Weston, Lord, 242, n. 251. 260 

and n. 
Weston, Lady, 242 and n. 246. 
Westminster, 137. 140. 143. 
Westminster Abbey, 291. 
White Hall, 41. 160. 209, n. 218. 

235. 
WifFen, Mr. xvii. 
Wilmot, Mr. 292. 
Wilson, Thomas, xxv. 
Wilson, Sir Thomas, 160. 169. 
Wilton, x. 

Wimbledon, Lord, 137, n. 154. 
Winchester, Marquis of, 30, n. 
Winchester, Marchioness of, 30. 
Winchester, 4th Marquis of, 141, n. 
Winchester, Bishop of, 220. 
Wingfield, Young, 171. 174, 175 

and n. 
Wingfield, Sir Thomas, 174, n. 
Wingfield, Eliza, Lady, ib. 
Withepoole, Lady, 16 and n. 
Woburn Abbey, xix. 
Woddhull, Mr. 282. 
Woodhouse, Frank, 101. 
Woodhouse, Philip, 254. 
Woodhouse, Mary, 272, n. 
Woodstock, 24. 

Yarmouth, 106. 241. 
York, 243. 
York, Duke of, 301. 
Young, C. G. Esq. vi. vii. 



THE END. 



London : 

Printed by S. & J. Bentley, Wilson, and Fley, 

Bangor House, Shoe Lane. 



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